THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


KiLMER  COLLECTION 


RETREAT    FOR    THE    UXIOXISTS. 


EYE-WITNESS; 


;if»?  ^mt$  %\\  iU  mA  Mmih  f  tat^, 


DEPICTDfG  THE 


TRIALS  AND  SUFFERINGS  OF  THE  UNIONISTS 


DURING    THE    REBELLION. 


A.,      o.     -w 


'  Man  Is  not  born  alone  to  act,  or  bo 
The  sole  asserter  of  man's  liberty; 
But  God  so  shares  the  gifts  of  head  and  heart. 
And  crow-ns  blest  woman  with  a  hero's  part.'' 


BOSTON : 

B.    B.    RUSSELL     AND     CO^tPANY. 

S.   S.   BOYDEN,    CHICAGO,    ILL. 

1865 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  In  the  year  18t>5,  by 

B.  B.  RUSSELL  &  COMPAXY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Massachosettg. 


Stereotyped  and  Printed  by 
E.  Faettell  and  Compaitt, 
87  Gongress  Street. 


DEDICATION, 


TO  THE  FRIENDS  OF  LIBERTY  WHEEEVEE  FOUND. 

To  Gexerals  Grant,  Sherman,  and  Burnside,  and 
OTHER  Officers  of  the  Ar:^iy  and  Navy  ;  also  the  Sol- 
diers, WHO  have  so  nobly  fought  our  Battles  :  — 

My  admiration  of  tlie  devotion  you  have  shown  to  the  cause 
of  preserving  the  uategrity  of  the  Union,  the  unspeakable  J07 
of  receiving  from  your  hands  Liberty's  Flag,  and  from  your 
lips  her  words,  *'Be  free;"  and,  above  all,  my  confidence  in 
your  ability  to  rekindle,  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  my 
adopted  State,  the  signal  fires  of  "  76,"  are  my  inducements  to 
dedicate  this  work  to  you. 

The  part  I  bore  in  the  trials  and  sufferings  which  form  the 
subject  of  the  following  narrative,  is  my  voucher  for  its  authen- 
ticity. 


603309 


PEEFACE. 


The  prevailing  opinion  at  the  North  is,  that  there  is  but 
little  Union  feeling  at  the  South,  and  that  of  rather  an  equivocal 
character.  Should  these  pages  be  the  means  of  convincing 
any  of  our  Northern  friends  that  there  is  a  strong,  imperishable 
feeling  existing  for  Ae  Union  and  "  Old  Flag,"  it  will  com- 
pensate in  a  measure  for  the  trouble  in  bringing  these  pages 
before  the  public. 

Thrs  work  was  mostly  written  at  the  South,  more  than  two 
j^ears  ago,  while  these  scenes  were  being  enacted.  The  inci- 
dents here  related  are  true.  The  characters  are  drawn  from 
life.  The  writer  was  conversant  with  most  all,  while  others, 
were  related  by  the  actors  themselves.  Liberty  has  been  taken 
to  weave  them  so  together,  as  to  form  a  pleasing  narrative,  and 
by  this  means  they  will  reach,  and  be  read,  by  a  greater  number, 
than  could  be  found  to  read  each  isolated  fact ;  and  this  knowl- 
edge of  the  Unionist  sufferings  would  be  more  generally 
known,  and  my  promise  to  those  heroic  souls  in  part  cancelled. 

The  question  has  often  been  asked,  both  in  public  and  pri- 
vate, what  are  the  feelings  of  the  Southern  women  in  regard 
to  this  war,  striking  as  it  does  at  their  homes  and  domestic 
relations,  uprooting  at  once  their  long-cherished  and  inherent 
distinction,  of  mistress  and  slave.  To  this  part  of  the  com- 
munity, these  pages  are  chiefly  confined.  You  are  taken  to 
their  firesides  and,  homes,  during  one  of  the  greatest  struggles 
ever  witnessed  by  mankind.     In  this  respect,  it  will  be  found 


6  PREFACE. 

this  work  differs  almost  entirely  from  all  others  "written  on 
Southern  life.  The  world  has  never  witnessed  greater  devo- 
tion, nobler  instincts ,  and  heroic  deeds,  than  has  been  devel- 
oped by  these  uncompromising  Unionists.  Those  brave,  self- 
reliant  souls,  who  have  shown  such  patient  endurance,  self- 
denial,  and  unflinching  courage,  are  worthy  of  a  "  niche  in  the 
gallery  of  Fame."  In  time,  it  will  be  admitted  that  the  real 
heroes  and  heroines  of  this  war  are  these  Unionist  men  and 
women. 

How  successful  this  attempt  to  portray  the  position  and  feel- 
ings, trials  and  sufferings,  of  our  friends  South,  during  this  la- 
mentable strife,  the  public  will  now  best  judge. 


CONTENTS, 


Chapter  Page 

I.— The  Soldiers'  Relief  Society     ...      9 

II.  — Two  Unionists  caught   ....  17 

III. — The  Power  of  Gold  on  the  Hunter.         .  24 

lY.  —  A  Southern  Home         ....  30 

v.— The  Victory  at  Big  Bethel;   its  Results  .  35 

VI.— A  Friend  in  Need         .         .         .         .  38 

VII.  —  Miss  Helen  relates  her  Adventures  .         .  48 

VHI.- A  Unionist  on  Trial      ....  70 

IX.  —  The  Swamps  a  Retreat  for  Loyalists        .  78 

X.  —  Presentation  of  a  Flag  ....  83 

XI.  —  A  [Mistake  in  a  Profession        .        .        .87 

XII.  — Family  History 93 

Xni.  — Mother  and  Daughter,  Mistress  and  Slave  99 

XIV. ^Escape  of  IMrs.  Weasel;   finds  a  Friend  105 

XV.— Dr.  Hall,  and  his  Patient.         .         .  114 

XAT:.  — A  Storm,  and  its  Effects        .         .         .121 

XVH.  — The  Patient  and  Boy  saved       .        .       .  127 

XV 111.  —  Introducing  new  Characters  .        .        .  131 

XIX.— Preparing  for  the  Ball       .         .         .        .  140 

XX. — Ignorance  and  Hatred    .        .         .         .151 

XXL  —  The  Revel  —  how  it  ended        .        .       .  155 


CONTENTS. 

Chapter  Page 

XXII.— The  Effect  of  the  Fight  at  Manassas    .      161 

XXin. — Visitors  to  the  Mineral  Springs         .        .165 

XXrV^.  — The  Death  and  Burial  of  an  Officer     .      169 

XXY.  —  Xews  from  Washington     .         .         .         .175 

XXYI.  — Butler  Panic 186 

XXYn.— Maggie  and  Kalph 189 

XXYm.— Eichard  Whedden's  Escape  .         .         .196 

XXIX.  — Heroism 199 

XXX.— Unexpected  Friend        ....       213 

XXXI.  —  Scenes  in  Xewbern  —  the  Winter  of  1862,   227 

XXXH.  — The  Railroad  Bridge  on  fire         .         .       237 

XXXin. — Maggie  in  Prison  —  finds  a  sick  Soldier  .  241 

XXXIY.  — 13th  March,   Storming  the  Forts;    14th, 

Fall  of  JSTewbern     .         .        .         .         .247 

XXXV.— The  Flight  from  Newbern  to  Kinston  .       252 

XXXVI.  —  Annie  McGowan's  Letter  —  A  Friend  is 

found 257 

XXXVn.  — Conclusion 272 


EYE-WITNESS: 

OR, 

LIFE-SCENES   IN  THE  OLD  NORTH  STATE. 


CHAPTER  I. 


That  gun  ! 

The  city  heard  —  and  was  soon  a  '*  city  of  stirs."* 
But  not  with  the  privateer  and  his  white-winged 
victims,  whose  arrival  that  salute  heralded,  nor  with 
the  exultant  crowd  which  thronged  the  streets  and 
landing,  to  see  the  Yankee  vessels  and  their  crews, 
have  we  to  do  at  present. 

Into  a  pleasant  breakfast-room  let  me  introduce 
you,  reader,  and  to  its  occupants,  three,  —  a  gentle- 
man and  two  ladies.    The  gentleman  is  speaking  :  — 

*'  Then  the  '  Pigeon '  is  in?  Miss  Helen,  I  must 
see  your  brother.  Have  Nise  at  the  door  in  five 
minutes,"  he  said,  turning  to  a  servant;  ''you  will 
go  with  me." 

'«  Stay,  no  haste,  Mr.  Blout.  Will  has  been  so 
long  without  sleep,  a  forty-pounder  would  not  awake 


♦  Wilmington  N.  C. 


10  EYE-WITNESS. 

him.  He  will  be  at  papa's  office  at  twelve  o'clock; 
finish  your  breakfast,  then  take  my  carriage  to 
tov/n." 

**  And  you  will  spend  the  morning  with  Maggie? 
I  accept  your  offer,  and  will  bring  your  brother  out 
with  me  to  dine." 

We  will  follow  the  ladies  to  the  window,  where 
they  had  moved,  that  their  conversation  might  not 
be  overheard. 

For  some  moments  Helen  Bierce,  the  early  caller, 
sat  absently  drawing  her  gloves  through  her  delicate 
fingers.  Then,  raising  her  head  with  startling  ab- 
ruptness she  exclaimed  :  — 

*  *  Yv^hy  does  not  Harry  Blout  fit  out  a  privateer  ? 
he  certainly  has  ample  means  for  doing  so.  It  is 
unaccountable  to  me,"  she  added,  "how  any  one 
can  enter  the  army  when  such  another  field  for 
serving  the  South  is  open  to  them.  This  privateer- 
ing would  suit  me  splendidly  !  to  secure  two  such 
prizes  as  the  '  Pigeon '  has  just  brought  in ;  to  meet 
an  armed  turtle;  j^ut  on  steam,  up  and  away,  and, 
just  when  the  danger  of  capture  is  most  imminent, 
slip  over  the  bar,  and  up  the  river  home  !  There  is 
no  State  in  the  Confederacy  like  our  own  for  such 
sport,  for  none  has  such  a  coast,  —  sand-bar  on 
sand-bar ! " 

' '  Harry  looks  upon  privateering  as  nothing  less 
than  piracy  upon  the  high  seas,"  said  her  companion  ; 
"  I  have  heard  him  say,  repeatedly,  the  luckless  fel- 
lows, caught  in  the  act,  would  meet  the  pirate's 
doom,  and  deservedly." 

"  And  I  see  by  your  looks,  Maggie,  you  are  of 
the  same  opinion.  However,  I  have  no  disposition 
to  enter  into  a  discussion  of  the  legality  or  illegality 


EYE-WITNESS.  11 

of  the  tlilnbr ;  that  Is  nothing  here  or  there  now,  so 
long  as  it  is  sanctioned  by  our  President.  To  change 
the  topic,  one  object  of  my  visit  here  this  morning,  is 
to  secure  your  services  on  the  morrow,  for  a  begging 
excursion." 

'•  Do  not  urge  me,  Nellie,"  Maggie  replied,  with  a 
deprecatory  shake  of  her  head ;  • '  surely  there  are 
others',  differently  situated  from  myself,  to  share  your 
liurdens  and  divide  your  cares." 

'*  So  there  are ;  but  none  who  can  aid  me  so  effi- 
ciently as  you.'' 

"  My  purse  is  at  your  disposal,"  was  the  evasive 
reply. 

*'  Your  time  would  serve  me  best." 

*'That  you  have;  look  at  this  pile  of  military 
cloth." 

*'  There  are  willing  hands  enough  for  such  work ; 
mere  machine  drudgery.  My  sorest  need  is  for  your 
personal  influence  upon  the  obdurate  hearts  my  elo- 
quence does  not  affect.  Now  hear  of  a  recent  affair 
which  occurred  with  one  of  our  merchants,  Mr. 
Weasel,  then  you  can  better  appreciate  some  of  the 
trials  and  annoyances  which  attend  the  Visiting  Com- 
mittee. One  after  another  of  our  ladies  called  upon 
him,  soliciting  aid  ;  Minnie  Bent  made  the  first  ad- 
vances, but  fled,  like  a  frightened  canary,  from  his 
most  emphatic  '  nothing  to  give.'  Others  tried,  but 
with  no  better  success ;  finally,  our  President,  Mrs. 
Vinton,  declared  her  intention  to  visit  the  miser ; 
and  did  so.  Imagine  our  surprise,  when,  not  an  hour 
after  her  departure,  her  carriage  returned,  piled  high 
with  bolts  of  domestic  flannel,  yarn,  and  innumer- 
able other  things,  of  which,  for  a  long  time,  we  had 
been  in  desperate  want.     From  Mr.  Weasel's  store 


12  EYE-WITNESS. 

thej  came,  for  there  was  his  card  attached  to  the 
bundles  !  *  Spirited  away  they  must  have  been,'  we 
cried,  «  for  nothing  could  leave  that  store  without 
cash  down  ! '  and  we  knew  when  Mrs.  Vinton  left 
us  she  had  not  a  dollar  in  her  purse.  To  all  of  our 
entreaties  to  make  known  her  weapon  of  attack,  she 
smilingly  shook  her  head  saying  :  — 

'*  '  Time  is  money  ;  let  Saturday  night  find  this 
goodly  heap  made  up  into  garments  and  packed  for 
Eichmond.'  At  night,  when  the  room  was  deserted 
by  all  but  ourselves,  she  related  to  me  the  incidents 
of  the  morning's  call.  But  you  are  laughing, 
why?" 

''Nothing  much." 

'«  Mr.  Blout  cannot  hear  us?" 

*'  His  breakfast  and  paper  seem  to  engross  his 
attention." 

At  the  name  of  Mr.  Weasel,  a  close  observer 
could  not  have  failed  to  notice  that  the  loiterer  at 
the  breakfast-table  w^as  unusually  cautious  in  setting 
down  his  cup,  and  that  his  paper  remained  unread  in 
his  hand.  Indifferent  as  the  young  man  w^as  to 
female  chit-chat,  Helen,  had  she  noticed  it,  could 
not  have  complained,  for  that  morning  at  least,  of 
his  taking  only  a  negative  interest  in  her  conversa- 
tion. His  look  of  interest  and  inquiry,  however, 
escaped  her,  and  she  chatted  on  incautiously  loud. 
When  Mrs.  Vinton's  name  was  mentioned  in  con- 
nection with  Mr.  Weasel's,  an  irresistible  impulse 
brought  Maggie's  head  without  the  folds  of  the  lace 
drapery  which  graced  the  w^indow.  Her  eye  caught 
Harry's ;  the  significant  glance  escaped  detection, 
but  the  unfinished  smile  brought  the  question. 

Satisfied  that  Maggie  alone  heard,  Helen  resumed  : 


EYE-WITNESS.  13 

**I  must  give  you  Mrs.  Vinton's  adventure  in  her 
own  words  :  <  I  stepped  into  the  store  and  found 
Mr.  Weasel  complacently  awaiting  customers.  I 
returned  his  gracious  salutation,  complimented  him 
upon  having  so  full  a  stock  of  goods  at  such  a  time, 
and  selected  some  hundred  yards  of  domestic,  —  but 
here  are  the  packages,  so  I  need  not  particularize. 
His  alacrity  in  bringing  down  and  putting  up  his 
goods,  and  in  sending  out  for  what  he  had  not, 
was  really  quite  refreshing.  The  secret  is,  his  many 
refusals  to  help  fit  out  our  soldiers  have  aroused 
the  suspicion  that,  at  heart,  he  is  a  traitor.  Conse- 
quently no  one  goes  into  his  store  except  those  whom 
necessity  drives  there. 

*'  'You  are  purchasing  supplies  for  the  soldiers,  I 
perceive,  madam,'  he  remarked,  glancing  at  the  huge 
l3undles  as  he  tied  on  the  last  string  and  affixed  his 
card  ;  '  where  will  you  have  them  sent  ? ' 

**  To  Ko.  9,  two  doors  this  side  of  the  barracks." 

<'  You  are  a  great  friend  of  the  soldier." 

**  Not  more  than  yourself,  sir,  I  hope." 
^  *'  Not  more  than  I  should  be,  did  I  see  the  neces- 
sity for  arming  men." 

*'  Where  was  there  ever  a  greater?" 

**  War,  Mrs.  Vinton,  is  with  us,  as  yet,  but  an 
abstract  question." 

"  I  cannot  agree  with  you.  The  recent  fight  at 
Big  Bethel  shows  me  this  war  of  independence  is 
fairly  inaugurated, —  a  war,  which  may  prove  unpre- 
cedented in  its  expenditure  of  treasure  and  kindred 
blood,  but  one,  which  shall  see  the  South  free  or 
blotted  out  of  existence." 

*'The  fight  at  Big  Bethel,  madam,  was  a  mere 
skirmish.     A  few  more  such,  and  some  conciliatory 


14  EYE-WITNESS. 

measures  will  be  adopted,  and  then  an  end  put  to  this 
strife,  ruinous  alike  to  North  and  South." 

"  This  is  a  time  for  action,  not  argument,  Mr. 
Weasel.  Willing  hands  must  work  if  we  would  fol- 
low up  our  successes."  Then,  seeing  that  I  was 
deliberately  drawing  on  my  gloves,  he  said :  — 

*' Excuse  me.  At  any  other  time  we  should  be 
happy  to  have  your  name  on  our  books,  but  now  "  — 

''  No  apology,  sir.  I  have  no  desire  to  have  it 
there." 

''  You  see,"  said  he,  pointing  to  a  white  card  above 
his  head,  on  which  two  very  black  words  were  painted, 
**  *  My  terms  are  cash.'  Something  very  scarce,  very 
precious,  just  now." 

«*  But  not  so  precious  as  the  blood,  that  has  been 
already  and  is  to  be  spilled  before  we  can  call  our- 
selves free  from  Northern  rule.  Northern  cupidity, 
Northern  fanaticism.  When  this  struggle  is  over, 
when  you  have  found  your  security  in  the  brave 
soldiers,  who  do  battle  for  you,  for  all ;  if  this  cash- 
account  is  not  wiped  out  by  blood,  generously  spilt, 
by  suffering  patiently  borne  ;  then,  sir,  I  will  sell  my 
own  flesh  and  blood  to  Northern  vandals  and  cancel 
your  claim  with  their  villainous  gold." 

''  All  very  well,  madam  ;  ail  very  well  !  but  I  have 
no  use  for  any  body's  flesh  and  blood.  I  demand  my 
money ! " 

Not  noticing  his  interruption,  I  continued  — 
**When  the  call  came  for  three  hundred  thousand 
men,  our  people  uprose  nobly.  Who  was  ignoble, 
cowardly  enough  to  think  of  the  pay  he  should  get ! 
Ours  is  a  common  cause ;  the  old  and  infirm  stay  at 
home  :  they  give  freely,  give  all  they  possess  ;  the 
young  and  brave  fight,  women  and  children  work. 


EYE-WITNESS.  15 

Cash  down  i  Money  !  Serve  your  country,  sir  ! 
imitate  the  example  so  nobly  set  by  your  country- 
men, and  your  one  talent  of  money-making"  shall  be 
as  blest  to  you  as  the  five  talents  profitably  laid  out 
by  the  wise  servant  in  the  parable,"  and  I  turned 
to  leave  the  store. 

**  Zounds  !  madam,"  I  heard;  «*  flesh  and  blood 
can't  stand  this  !  —  it  is  theft,  burglary  of  high  order  ! 
—  restore  my  goods,  or,  madam,  you  shall  feel  the 
full  rigor  of  the  law  !  "  As  I  reached  the  door,  Mr. 
"Weasel  was  at  my  side  ;  Pete,  however,  at  my  order, 
had  driven  on.  I  left  him  in  his  store  door  gazing 
after  the  carriage,  crying — ''too  late!  too  late!" 
Now,  Maggie,  was  n't  that  well  done?  " 

"  No,  Nellie,  your  own  true  sense  of  justice  tells 
you  Mr.  Weasel  was  right,  when  he  said  '  such  a 
procedure  was  burglary  of  a  high  order.'     Let  those 

give  who  do  so  willingly,  not " 

"Nonsense!  Maggie,"  interrupted  Helen,  "you 
remember  the  old  adage,  '  the  end,  if  a  laudable  one, 
justifies  the  means ;'  and  if  to  put  the  screws  on 
misers,  to  make  them  disgorge  some  of  their  ill-gotten 
gains,  is  not  justifiable,  it  is,  at  least,  merciful;  for 
we  spare  these  money-changers,  these  '  votaries  of 
Mammon,'  the  horrible  fate  of  falling  a  sacrifice  to 
their  own  devotions,  by  lopping  off  shoots  of  interest, 
as  we  would  the  boughs  of  a  tree,  breaking  beneath 
the  weight  of  its  own  fruit,  —  is  it  not  so  ?  But  let 
me  finish  my  story :  the  week's  close  found  our  work 
comjDlete,  and  the  box  packed  and  marked  — '  Sol- 
diers' Eelief  Society,  Eichmond.'  It  was  left  in  the 
work-room,  the  door  was  locked  and  every  window 
secured, —  I  am  sure  of  that.  Monday  morning, 
when  Pete  went  to  the  building,  the  box  was  there, 


16  EYE-WITNESS. 

but  not  a  shirt,  comfort,  sock,  blanket,  or  bandage, 
—  no  not  one,  to  be  seen  !  Of  course  the  negroes 
are  accused  of  the  theft ;  but  Mrs.  Vmton  and  my- 
self have  discussed  the  matter  thoroughly,  and,  having 
heard  nothins:  from  the  beliiiierent  o^entleman  of  Store 
Xo.  70,  are  convinced  that  to  catch  a  weasel  asleep  is 
no  easy  matter.  We,  however,  shall  match  him  yet ; 
for  let  the  public  be  fully  assured  that  this  Mr.  Wea- 
sel is  one  of  the  proscribed  set.  Union  men,  and  not 
one  box-ful  but  lus  entire  stock  is  ours." 


CHAPTER  II. 

TWO   IIN^IONISTS   CAUGHT. 

An  unusual  noise  from  without,  at  this,  moment, 
attracted  the  attention  of  Maggie  and  her  guest,  and 
fully  conscious  that  the  tumult  was  approaching  the 
house,  they  arose  and  through  the  open  window 
stepped  on  to  the  verandah.  As  the  curtain  fell  be- 
hind the  retreating  figure  of  her  mistress,  Lizzie  from 
her  lookout  groaned  :  '*  It  makes  my  blood  freeze  to 
har  dem  hounds ;  somebody's  blood  runin'  when  dey 
howl  like  dat !  "  Then  dropping  her  work  and  her- 
self upon  her  knees,  she  prayed  that  the  poor,  hunted 
negro  might  find  favor  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord, 
who  made  him,  and  be  spared  the  torture  of  his  white 
master. 

''  Confound  that of  an  abolitionist,  — 

see  how  he  bleeds  !  Swing  him  from  yonder  limb, 
or  he'll  die  before  we  twist  the  necklace  !-  He  '11  fio^ht 
for  Old  Abe,  and  nobody  else  —  will  he?  Swing 
him,  and  let  him  try  his  strength  with  them  buzzards 
yonder  !  Hear  'em  cracking  their  beaks  !  —  hold  on 
a  bit,  old  fellows,  the  meat  will  soon  swing  ! "  Such 
shouts  rent  the  air  as,  mounted  and  afoot,  an  eager 
crowd  pressed  round  their  victim  —  a  man  not  more 
than  twenty-five,  and  a  boy  scarce  eighteen ;  whose 

2* 


18  EYE-WITNESS. 

clothes,  if  such  rags  might  so  be  called,  were  mired 
find  fearfully  rent,  displaying  the  gaping  wounds 
where  the  bloodhounds  had  taken  hold. 

Deadly  pale,  but  undaunted,  the  man  walked  in  the 
midst  of  his  merciless  tormentors,  seemingly  uncon- 
scious of  his  own  sufferings,  though  the  warm  blood 
trickled  from  his  legs  and  shoulder,  where  the  burnt 
flesh  showed  only  too  })lainly,  the  nearness  of  the 
weapon,  the  sure  lodgment  of  a  ball,  which  had 
buried  itself  in  his  broad  chest. 

No  persecuted  runaway  negro  was  he,  kind  reader, 
but  w^orse,  far  worse,  —  a  hunted,  hounded,  and  de- 
nounced '*  traitor"  !  —  the  victim  of  an  enraged  and 
maddened  people.  His  crime,  the  oath  to  stand  by 
the  good  old  flag,  and  Abe  Lincoln,  forever ! 

Again  and  again  the  prisoner  turns  a  fond  and 
encouraging  look  towards  the  sinking  boy  at  his  side, 
who,  faint  with  loss  of  blood,  staggers  on,  now 
pitched  for\yard  by  a  kick  from  behind,  then  sinking 
from  sheer  exhaustion  amid  the  feet  of  the  crowd ; 
wdiile  large  drops  of  sweat,  mingling  with  the  tears, 
his  agony  wrung  from  him,  poured  down  his  face  and 
bloodstained  body.  Human  nature  could  bear  no 
more.  The  fierce  grapple  of  the  hounds,  the  kicks 
and  oaths  of  the  exultant  captors,  were  now  alike  un- 
heard, unfelt. 

As  the  stalwart  hunter's  arm  was  upraised,  bearing 
aloft  the  lash,  now  of  a  deep  red  dye,  which  told  of 
the  strength  of  its  cruel  owner,  a  cry  went  out  from 
the  bloodless  lips  of  the  brother  so  heart-vending  that 
for  a  moment  the  slave-driver  was  cowered  and  his 
arm  fell  to  his  side. 

Fiercely  his  victim  tugged  at  the  iron  bands,  which 
bound  his  hands  before  him.      The  flesh  parted  and 


EYE-WITXESS.  19 

the  blood  flowed  at  each  endeavor,  but  the  iron 
would  not  give ;  deeper  and  deeper  it  sunk  into 
his  flesh ;  it  was  not  felt,  but  in  his  soul  it  rankled 
and  tore. 

Must  the  boy  die  thus  ?  if  life  was  still  there,  must 
the  laizt  lingering  spark  be  crushed  out  beneath  the 
trampling  hoofs  of  the  horses,  whose  merciless  riders 
jeered  and  mocked  at  the  misery  they  caused  ?  Could 
these  be  men,  with  hearts  of  flesh,  who  could  so 
wantonly  kill  and  so  derisively  laugh  at  that  one,  last 
look  for  mercy  ;  mercy,  not  for  himself,  but  for  the 
dying,  innocent  boy,  who  lay  at  their  feet? 

Yes,  tliey  were  men  :  made  after  God's  image, 
rich  in  acres  of  cotton  land^,  and  turpentine  lots ; 
boastful  of  many  heads  of  negroes  ;  pleasure-seekers  ; 
livers  in  the  saddle ;  7iot  drimJc,  the  day  was  not  far 
spent  enough  for  that ;  not  wholly  soulless  nor  heart- 
less, for  there  were  those  in  that  crowd,  so  eagerly 
thirsting  for  blood,  so  jubilant  over  the  death-agony 
of  their  victims,  who  had  voluntarily  encountered 
peril  of  fire  and  water  to  save  human  life. 

To  plunge  into  the  swollen  creek  amid  the  pitiless 
storm,  which  had  overtaken  him,  to  rescue  a  drunken, 
worthless  fellow,  whose  stumbling  steps  had  shpped 
from  the  foot-logs ;  to  bear  him  on  his  back  to  a 
\iistant  cabin,  to  find  it  deserted,  and  then  walk  the 
night  out  in  a  soaking  rain  to  secure  aid  for  the  dying 
wretch  ;  —  to  dash  amid  the  burning  ruins  of  a  cabin 
and' bring  to  the  widowed  mother,  her  missing  boy  ; 
to  drive  from  sight  the  overseer  for  brutally  beating 
the  "  boys,"  because  not  up  to  the  task  assigned  them, 
—  were  deeds,  done  from  the  natural  promptings  of 
these  very  hearts,  which  now  madly  yearned  for  the 
lifeblood  of  a  Yankee  sympathizer,  —  the  <*  traitor," 


20  EYE-WITNESS. 

who  would  sell  his  countrymen  into  the  most  galling 
of  all  vassalage  —  that  to  Yankee  lords  ! 

Once  more  the  fair  listeners  on  the  verandah  shud- 
dered, as  that  wild,  agonizing  cry  reached  them,  and 
—  pitying  heaven. 

A  powerful  arm  upraised  the  boy ;  and  an  eye, 
which  flashed  the  challenge  that  struggled  for  utter- 
ance upon  his  lips,  repelled  the  crowd. 

Athletic  in  figure,  his  large,  black  eyes  dilated  and 
flashing,  his  face  a-glow  with  the  honest  anger  which 
burned  within  him  at  the  cowardly,  dastardly  act, 
just  perpetrated,  —  a  perfect  type  of  manly  and  pow- 
erful beauty,  Harry  Blout  stood,  as  unconscious  of 
the  deference  which,  on  being  recognized,  was  obse- 
quiously tendered,  as  of  the  sun  which  beat  scorch- 
ingly  upon  his  uncovered  head.  He  bent  down,  and 
lifting  the  bleeding  body  handed  it  carefully  to  a 
servant,  who  had  followed  him  to  the  road. 

"  There  is  life  yet,"  he  said,  placing  his  hand  upon 
the  boy's  heart;  *'  take  him.  Pomp,  to  Aunt  Lizzie. 
Bring  water,"  he  added,  '*  and  a  sponge  ;  hold,  bring 
brandy,  your  mistress  will  tell  you  where  it  is  to  be 
found." 

The  crowd,  speechless,  heard  these  orders  given, 
nor  was  a  hand  raised  to  prevent  their  execution ;  for 
know,  reader,  that  these  men  in  soldierly  array  were 
a  company  of  Blout's  Rifles,  proud  and  boastful  of 
the  name  they  bore,  splendidly  equipped  as  was  the 
entire  regiment  of  which  this  company  was  a  part,  by 
the  munificence  of  the  one  whose  presence  held  them 
spellbound. 

What  wonder  is  it  that  they  spurred  their  horses 
from  the  road,  and,  seemingly  engaged  in  managing 
their  suddenly  restless  steeds,  endeavored  to  escape 


ETE-WITNESS.  21 

the  withering  look  which  was  turned  upon  them. 
But  the  fierce,  hang-dog  eye  of  Grimes,  the  hunter, 
brightened  as  he  recognized  the  man  at  his  side ;  for 
even  this  brute,  rich  in  the  possession  of  the  fiercest 
pack  of  bloodhounds  to  be  found  the  country  around, 
who  spent  six  daj^s  out  of  seven  in  the  woods  and 
swamps,  starving  his  "  pets"  to  fatten  them  upon  the 
blood  of  the  kickless  runaways,  whom  they  never  foiled 
to  scent  and  fasten  themselves  upon,  had  heard  of  and 
seen  the  city  w^onder,  "the  Cuban  cousin;"  upon 
whom  was  showered  exuberant  praise,  such  as  *'  rich 
as  Croesus  ;  "  *«  generous  as  handsome,"  '*  such  muni- 
ficence princely  revenues  alone  could  support ;  "  and 
the  like. 

"Never  did  a  better  chance  offer  to  make  good 
his  losses,"  (in  the  morning's  scuffle,  two  of  his 
hounds  had  been  killed,)  he  said,  in  an  aside  to  one 
of  the  crowd,  and  the  natural  repulsiveness  of  his 
brutal  face  was  heightened  by  the  smile  which  the 
comforting  words  called  up.  At  a  stern  gesture  of 
command,  the  handcuffs  were  struck  from  the  lacer- 
ated wrists  of  the  prisoner,  his  wounds  cleansed,  and 
his  weary  frame  invigorated  with  stimulants.  Then, 
for  the  first  time,  turning  to  the  hunter,  Harry  Blout 
demanded  the  price  set  upon  the  boy's  head. 

"No  price,"  growded  the  man,  the  scowl  which 
the  question  brought  increasing  as  the  unwelcome 
truth  was  drawn  from  him. 

' '  How  came  he  in  your  power  ?  " 

"  Caught  him  with  that  d abolitionist  yonder," 

pointing  to  the  man  whom  Pomp,  at  the  command 
of  his  master,  had  mounted  upon  his  favorite  saddle- 
nag. 

' '  Why  let  your  dogs  take  his  life  ?  "  Harry  asked 


22  EYE-AVITNESS. 

sternly.  At  the  savage  answer,  Harry  turned  away 
and  beckoned  Captain  Green,  who,  for  a  commis- 
sioned officer  had,  on  this  occasion,  been  refreshingly 
modest,  to  approach. 

* '  This  is  your  first  appearance  with  your  com- 
pany," he  said;  *' I  congratulate  you  upon  the 
occasion  which  has  so  heroically  displayed  the  cour- 
age of  the  men  in  your  charge.  Take  this  man," 
he  added,  the  sarcasm  in  his  voice  giving  place  to 
command,  '*  into  your  care,  and  see  to  it  that  he  is 
spared  further  abuse  until,  at  least,  he  is  in  the  hands 
of  the  city  authorities." 

Captain  Green  bowed  and  gave  the  order  for  his 
company  to  form.  With  remarkable  alacrity  they 
wheeled  their  horses  into  line,  and,  with  the  prisoner, 
slowly  paced  down  the  road. 

Swindled  into  Secession  by  as  diabolical  a  fraud 
as  could  be  perpetrated ;  straining  every  nerve  to  fill 
her  quota  of  troops  ;  suffering  her  noble-hearted  sons 
to  be  denounced  and  imprisoned  because  suspicion 
marked  the?n  as  *' traitors."  Stricken,  convulsed, 
torn,  pouring  out  her  treasures  of  blood  and  gold  into 
a  tyrant's  lap,  to  be  scorned  and  publicly  maligned 
by  him,  as  weak,  cowardly,  a  drag  upon  the  Young 
Confederacy,  North  Carolina^  —  where  these  scenes 
are  laid,  —  lay  wrecked  and  helpless, — the  victim 
of  South  Carolina's  treachery  and  Virginia's  bold, 
unscrupulous,  law- defying  partisans.  Who  that  is 
conversant  with  her  mighty  struggles  to  break  from 
her  bleeding  hands  the  manacles  of  iron  despotism, 
could  doubt,  had  she  been  situated  as  Maryland, 
Kentucky,  and  Missouri,  that  as  many  of  Iter  sons 
would  have  emptied  their  veins  for.  the  preservation 
of  the  Union,  as  those  States  can  boast? 


EYE-WITNESS.  23 

Up  to  this  time  no  executions  had  defamed  the 
once  fair  name  of  the  "staid  old  State."  That 
lynch-lavv  was  to  be  the  order  of  the  day  was  ap- 
parent to  all. 


CHAPTEE  in. 

THE  POWER  OF  GOLD  ON  THE  HUXTER. 

Simultaneously  with  the  departure  of  Captain 
Green  and  his  company,  Harry  Blout  turned  to  the 
slave-hunter.  He  was  stooping  low  in  the  road, 
vainly  endeavoring  to  staunch  the  blood  which  flowed 
from  the  side  of  one  of  his  "pets,"  whose  lolling 
tongue,  dull  eye,  and  gaping  wounds,  tell  of  a  fierce 
strua'S'le  within,  —  a  strus^s^le  which  will  never  be 
repeated.  Even  now  he  falls  upon  his  side,  and 
with  imploring  eye  begs  for  the  caress  his  master 
bestows  with  a  lavish  hand ;  his  eyes  close,  his  jaw 
drops ;  nothing  but  the  slowly  wagging  tail  tells 
of  his  gratitude.  Big  tears  roll  down  the  fierce- 
visaged  man's  cheeks,  for  he  knows  his  dog  must 
die,  —  yes,  is  dead  already.  With  a  wild  stare  and 
a  convulsive  tremor  of  the  bleeding  body,  a  third 
victim  of  the  morning's  hunt  has  been  offered  upon 
the  altar  of  human  rage  and  demoniac  fury. 

Fire  flashed  from  the  hunter's  eye  as  he  turned 
upon  the  one  who  stood  by,  an  unmoved  spectator  of 
the  scene :  and  curses  thick  and  fast  rushed  to  his 
lips,  but  were  checked  as  he  noticed  the  cool,  deter- 
mined face  turned  towards  him.  A  low  voice  met 
his  ear  bidding  him  name  his  price  for  the  remaining 


EYE-WITNESS.  25 

hounds,  — would  he  sell?  There  was  but  a  momen- 
tary hesitation.  The  negro-hunter  worshipped  his 
profession  and  his  hounds,  and  he  as  devotedly  wor- 
shipped the  gains  they  brought,  and  to  sell  his  dogs 
was  to  throw  himself  quite  out  of  employment. 
Comforting  himself,  however,  with  the  thought  that 
with  the  handsome  sum,  such  as  he  should  demand, 
there  were  other  fields  where  his  talents  miorht  have 
full  scope,  he  signified  his  consent  to  dispose  of  his 
pack.  With  the  price  named  he  growled,  '*  not  too 
much  ;  give  'em  blood  —  " 

With  a  gesture  of  disgust,  Harry  silenced  further 
encomiums  upon  the  "  pets,"  and  handed  the  man  the 
amount  he  asked  ;  then,  with  a  significant  glance, 
bidding  Pomp  "  take  care  of  the  dogs,"  he  cleared 
the  low  gate  with  a  leap  and  entered  the  house. 

For  such  as  Grimes,  war  was  a  profitable  thing. 
Never  was  heard  such  a  running  away  of  negroes ; 
and  "with  the  tales  of  bloody  violence  and  vicious 
theft  which  followed,  came  the  unceasing  cry  for 
**  hunters  and  bloodhounds." 

But  a  degree  of  danger  attended  these  hunts,  —  for 
not  a  limited  number,  but  scores,  hundreds  of  runa- 
ways infested  the  woods  and  swamps,  which  made 
even  the  boldest  of  them  tremble  for  their  lives  and 
their  dogs,  when  the  scent  was  struck  and  the  grapple 
at  hand  with  a  dozen  or  more  stalwart  negroes,  who 
had  scented  the  blow  which  was  to  waft  them  to 
liberty. 

Hunters  were  not  infrequently  found  dead  beside 
their  dogs,  and  such  negroes,  as  were  brought  in, 
were  but  few  in  number,  and,  in  most  cases,  crippled 
fur  life.  The  pay,  therefore,  although  fair,  scarcely 
compensated  for  the  risk. 
3 


26  EYE-WITXESS. 

So  it  followed  that  nine  of  ten  of  these  followers 
of  the  negro-hunt  disposed  of  their  packs  to  the  more 
venturesome,  and  stood  in  the  ranks  as  substitutes, — 
their  services  being  purchased  by  such  lukewarm 
partisans  as  cried  *'  war  !  war  !  "  and  then,  with  glass 
and  pipe,  settled  down  to  the  comforting  reflection 
that  war,  on  the  whole,  was  a  good  thing;  for,  if 
productive  of  no  other  result,  it  swept  the  streets  of 
paupers,  and  city  and  country  of  a  '*  rake-helly  "  set, 
that  lent  themselves  to  be  the  instruments  of  any 
villainy,  provided  the  pay  were  good. 

In  the  prevision  of  the  ardent  antagonist,  however, 
there  was  no  such  inoiorious  end  to  a  strife  of  which 
they  were  the  abettors  and  supporters,  but  a  free  and 
recognized  South.  One  red  field,  one  thunder-like 
groan  from  a  prostrate,  suppliant  foe,  and  a  people 
had  attained  their  pre-ordained  position,  —  that  of 
framing  for  themselves  a  new,  bright  destiny. 

But  to  the  few,  uncorrupted,  undaunted  defenders 
of  Unity  and  Law,  that  *'  first  gun  at  Sumter"  was 
no  signal-gun,  arousing  a  people,  oppressed,  to  rise 
and  burst  the  shackles  of  despotic  power.  To  them^ 
that  gun  was  a  death-knell,  booming  over  the  South, 
bidding  "Chivalry"  rise  and  finish  the  work,  de- 
feated ambition  and  unextinguishable  rancor  and 
jealousy  had  begun,  —  the  digging  of  their  own 
graves  ! 

Having  carefully  chained  his  pack  of  hounds.  Pomp 
followed  on  his  master's  footsteps.  He  stopped  not 
at  the  house,  but  over  the  lawn,  by  the  stables,  down 
through  the  orchard,  he  trudged  ;  his  eye  flashing  the 
intensity  of  his  joy,  which  the  proper  time  and  place 
heard  to  roll  out,  peal  after  peal,  from  the  very  depths 
of  his  capacious  chest. 


EYE-WITNESS.  27 

Seeking  the  shelter  of  a  wide-spreading  gum-tree, 
he  stopped  to  rest,  and,  holding  his  hounds  at  arm's 
length,  thus  soliloquized  :  — 

*'0h!  Massa  Harry,  dis  yer  earth  has  no  other 
like  yer ;  neber  did  dis  yer  old  boy  tink  to  be  de 
massa  o'  sich  a  pack  o'  devils  own  imps  !  '  Pears 
like  de  good  Lord  knows  I'se  de  man  for  dis  'ticular 
case ;  for  wid  his  'mission,  ye  old  sinners,  ebery  one 
o'  ye  shall  be  dead  'fore  mornin'  breaks." 

The  dogs  yelled  and  tugged  for  freedom,  as  though 
in  the  eye  of  their  keeper  they  read  the  doom  which 
was  to  be  theirs  before  the  advent  of  a  new  day. 

Up  and  on,  Pomp  toiled :  his  cabin  is  reached  at 
length.  With  a  kick  the  door  flew  wide,  and  the 
glad  cry  which  followed  effectually  silenced  his  y»lp- 
ing  prize.  So  did  it  also  '*  Robert  O'Lincoln,"  who 
from  a  neighboring  tree  looked  with  his  mate  the 
surprise  he  did  not  utter,  then  alighted  upon  the 
window-sill  of  that  usually  silent  abode  and  curiously 
twisted  his  bright  head  to  see  his  old  friend,  the  ex- 
ultant possessor  of  such  a  dog-prize,  so  uproarious. 

But,  for  a  moment  only  did  that  dark  form, 
stretched  upon  the  floor  of  his  sanctum,  give  utter- 
ance to  his  exuberant  joy,  for  work  was  to  be  done. 
With  the  agility  of  youth  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  and 
in  a  twinkling  a  staple  was  driven  into  a  log  and  the 
dogs  chained  fast  to  it. 

One  long,  lingering  look  he  fixed  upon  the  snarling, 
fishtino;  creatures  before  him,  then  turned  and  left 
them. 

Duty  calls  Pomp  to  the  *  *  big  house  ;  "  ours  is  not 
so  imperative ;  so  we  will  linger  awhile  in  his  cabin. 

It  had  been  built  by  his  own  hands,  and,  what  was 
Pomp's  delight  to  tell,  was  furnished  by  his  young 


28  EYE-AVITNESS. 

mistress.  The  bard,  pine  floor,  white  as  soap  and 
sand  could  make  it.  the  three  rough  but  strong  chairs, 
a  mirror  and  a  couch,  bespeak  nicety  and  ease  ;  and 
the  clay  pipe  and  long  reed  stems,  show  no  neglect. 
The  bed  with  its  white  spread  occupies  one  corner  of 
the  room,  and  at  the  foot  of  it,  into  one  of  ihe  logs 
of  the  cabin.  Pomp  had  driven  the  staple  and  con- 
fined the  hounds.  Fox  and  coon  skins  adorn  the 
walls,  interspersed  with  a  rare  collection  of  birds. 
These,  we  see  so  carefully  stuffed  and  tastefully  ar- 
ranged ,  were  not  brought  down  by  Ms  barrel ;  boys 
would  kill,  and  Pomp  would  expostulate  but  all  to 
no  purpose.  Silently  he  w^ould  creep  to  the  hedge, 
where  the  ruthless  hand  had- thrown  a  bird,  and  when 
no  care  could  restore  life,  he  would  stuff  and  cherish 
its  beauty,  as  if  a  pet  of  his  own  raising. 

If  we  lift  the  huge  skin,  which  hangs  at  the  foot 
of  the  bed,  we  are  in  possession  of  a  secret, — 
Pomp's  long-cherished  secret,  which,  for  him,  has 
Paradise  in  it. 

One  look  will  suffice.  Under  its  soft,  secure 
shelter  is  a  high-colored  picture,  bought  of  a  pedler, 
prized  beyond  all  earthly  treasure,  because  descriptive 
of  the  equality  of  all  men  and  oi  frmdoirCs  day. 

Christmas  after  Christmas,  the  day  of  their  redemp- 
tion, as  Pomp  and  his  race  fondly  and  fully  believed, 
came  and  went ;  but  not  that  one  which  was  to  see 
their  chains  undone.  The  great  Emancipator  still 
tarried  !  Neither  faithless  nor  discouraged,  but  all 
believing,  they  bent  their  backs  for  another  year's 
burden,  and  patiently  suffered  the  chains  which  the 
Lord  could  lift  up  and  cast  off  when  he  should  awake 
to  the  miseries  of  his  afflicted  children.  Pomp  was 
no  ' '  Uncle  Tom,"  for  teaching  his  brethren  patience 


EYE-WITNESS.  29 

to  await  the  Lord's  coming ;  but  those  who  saw  with 
how  much  resignation  he  toiled  on  from  day  to  day, 
faithfully  and  thoroughly  obedient  in  discharging  his 
manifold  duties,  could  not  but  respect  and  honor  him. 
There  was  a  time  when  he  pined  so  for  freedom,  that 
his  little  mistress,  her  father's  pride,  took  pity  on 
him  ;  and,  with  childhood's  winsome  ways,  sought  to 
overcome  her  father's  obdurate  will.  But  this  is  all 
that  came  of  her  earnest  entreaty  :  — 

"  My  darling  daughter,  grieve  me  not  by  asking 
what  would  bring  misery,  the  most  abject,  upon 
Pomp.  Dry  your  tears.  Pomp's  life  is  a  happy 
one  ;  he  has  all  he  needs  ;  lays  up  money  yearly  ;  is 
cared  for,  well  housed ;  fed  and  clothed.  No^  no, 
my  child,  papa  knows  what  is  for  Pomp's  good,  and 
will  always  shield  him  from  want  and  harm." 

**  But,  Papa,  you  will  die  one  day,"  the  child  would 
reply,  *'tben  Pomp  shall  be  free,  for  I  will  make 
him  so." 

'*Not  so  fast,  little  heiress.  Papa  will  have  to 
make  a  will,  which  shall  restrict  his  wayward  darling'; " 
and  he  would  add,  pressing  her  to  his  heart,  "  all 
generosity,  all  love.  God  grant  my  life  may  be 
spared  to  shield  you  from  the  ills  poor  black  Pomp 
would  so  blindly  rush  into," 
3* 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A    SOUTHERN   HOME. 

Within  the  suburbs  of  the  city  of ,  our  story 

leads  us.  Just  far  enough  removed  from  the  busy 
hum  and  din  of  city  life,  stands  a  noble  mansion, 
decorated  by  the  hand  of  taste  in  possession  of  an 
ample  fortune. 

Broad  and  sweeping  lawns  ;  gigantic  trees  inviting 
repose  beneath  their  vine-clad,  out- reaching  arms ; 
garden  plots,  teeming  with  the  luxuriant  products  of 
that  sunny  clime,  interspersed  with  exotics  from  other 
countries  ;  a  rich,  dark  belt  of  forest  trees  encircling 
the  grounds  on  the  north  and  west,  —  lent  an  irre- 
sistible charm  to  this  beautiful  home. 

The  house,  built  of  brick,  is  of  almost  palatial 
dimensions.  Light  and  graceful  verandas  adorn 
the  front  and  sides ;  here  the  white  scented  jasmine 
wanders  in  unrestrained  luxuriance,  clinging  to  and 
completely  covering  the  light  columns,  curtaining 
windows,  and  over-topping  the  broad,  flat  roof, 
■wraps  the  high  chimneys  in  a  green  and  deliciously 
fragrant  mantle. 

Nor  had  the  taste  of  the  owner  confined  itself 
to  outward  adorning.  The  lofty  rooms  glow  with 
the  creations  of  genius.  Splendid  portraits,  pic- 
tures rich  in  historic  lore,  and  charming  landscapes 
grace  the  walls ;  while  statutes,  statuettes,  busts,  and 


EYE  WITNESS.  31 

gems  of  rare  value  are  artistically  arranged  through- 
out the  rooms  and  broad  halls. 

John  Blout,  the  noble  and  fortunate  possessor  of 
this  delightful  abode,  enjoyed  a  high  social  and 
political  position. 

A  West  Point  graduate,  his  powerful  Intellect, 
ready  wit,  and  rare  personal  qualities  gained  for  him, 
not  only  the  highest  honors  of  his  class,  but  the 
unbounded  and  outspoken  admiration  of  his  associ- 
ates, North  and  in  his  own  State. 

To  make  his  State  illustrious,  not  by  extending  its 
limits  and  multiplying  its  slaves,  but  by  the  diffusion 
of  knowledge,  so  that  the  natural  resources  of  his 
native  soil  might  be  developed ;  and  her  sons  ("  how 
like  to  the  rudeness  of  their  dear  native  mountains  ") 
might  bring  to  light,  polish,  and  exhibit  "the  rich  ore 
In  their  bosoms,"  —  was  the  thought  which  warmed 
his  heart  and  stimulated  his  mighty  soul  to  almost 
Herculean  efforts.  But  when  his  cherished  schemes 
gave  promise  of  speedy  fruition  and  incalculable  good, 
the  thread  of  life  parted  ! 

The  grief  of  the  household  was  most  profound ; 
and  the  wail  of  the  orphan  was  echoed  by  many  a 
sympathizing  heart,  which  bowed  and  wept  for  a  ben- 
efactor gone. 

A  favorite  brother  had  Ion 2^  been  a  resident  of 
Havana.  The  only  issue  of  his  marriage  with  a 
rich  and  noble  Spanish  lady  was  a  son,  who  had  just 
reached  manhood,  when  the  devoted  wife  and  most 
exemplary  mother  was  removed  by  a  sudden  death 
from  their  loving  embrace. 

In  foreign  travel,  father  and  son  sought  to  divert 
their  minds  from  the  excessive  grief  which  bore  so 
crushingly  upon  them. 


32 


EYE-WITNESS. 


Three  years  spent  on  the  Continent  and  in  Asia, 
found  the  wanderers  homeward  bound. 

Amid  the  splendors  of  court-circles ;  amid  the 
inexhaustible  stores  of  priceless  treasures  which  the 
old  world  seductively  displayed  to  the  cultivated 
mind  and  artistic  taste  of  the  travellers,  both  felt  the 
same  irresistible  yearning  for  their  beautiful,  but 
shadowed  home. 

On  arriving  in  their  own  sunny  clime  amid  the 
congratulations  of  friends,  the  new3  of  the  brother's 
sudden  death,  and  the  sad  entreaty  of  the  orphan 
that  her  uncle  and  cousin  should  share  her  desolate 
home,  came,  and  admitted  of  no  delay. 

They  embarked  the  day  but  one  following  their 
arrival  home,  for  the  *'  States." 

Only  two  days  out,  the  vessel  which  bore  them 
encountered  a  terrific  gale.  Though  staunch  and 
strong,  the  waves  engulfed  her;  she  went  down,  and 
all  on  board  perished,  save  one,  who  was  picked  up 
by  the  ship  Champion,  on  her  way  in  j)ort.  Strapped 
to  the  survivor  was  the  dead  body  of  the  father,  both 
being  lashed  to  a  plank. 

By  the  unwearied  exertions  of  the  officers  of  the 
Cham-pion,  the  young  man's  life  was  restored ;  but  so 
grief  smitten  he  sat  by  the  box  which  contained  his 
father's  remains,  that  the  noble-hearted  men  around 
him  forbore  to  question,  seemingly  satisfied  with 
the  brief  intelligence,  that  the  Sea  Gull,  from  Hav- 
ana, foundered  at  sea  in  the  late  gale.  Crew  and 
passengers  had  probably  gone  down  in  her,  as  the 
boats  were  stove  at  every  attempt  to  launch. 

Kichly  rewarding  the  humane  captain  and  crew 
for  their  noble  exertions,  in  his  behalf,  Harry  Blout, 
once    more     on    shore,    sought    his     island    home, 


EYE-WITNESS.  33 

and,  with  his  own  hands,  laid  the  loved  parent  by 
the  hallowed  remains  of  his  mother. 

Before  the  fate  of  the  Sea  Gull  had  been  publicly 
announced,  Harry  was  again  on  board  ship,  hurrying 
to  offer  to  his  stricken  cousin  the  sympathy  which 
his  own  sad  heart  yearned  for. 

Long  years  before,  he  had  visited  his  uncle's  family 
with  his  parents.  Well  he  remembered  his  great 
and  good  kinsman  ;  his  warm-hearted,  loving  aunt ; 
whose  death  followed  their  departure  South ;  and  his 
charming  cousin,  Maggie,  the  pride  and  pet  of  the 
household ;  a  rare  bud,  giving  promise  of  perfect 
womanhood. 

And  **  woman's  coronal  of  triple  graces,  beauty, 
modesty,  and  truth  "  never  graced  a  nobler  brow,  or 
a  more  gentle  and  generous  nature.  Subsequent 
events  proved,  that  underneath  that  mild  and  cour- 
teous manner,  was  a  strength  of  purpose  and  an 
indomitable  will,  which  the  consciousness  of  right 
could  alone  make  her  to  exercise,  and  no  persuasion, 
however  seductive,  could  move.  Though  the  idol 
of  a  large  circle  of  devoted  friends,  no  sympathy 
was  so  grateful,  no  care,  no  society  so  soothing,  so 
unobtrusive,  and  withal  so  congenial,  as  her  cousin 
Harry's. 

Proud  she  well  might  be  of  him.  Handsome, 
chivalrous,  frank,  and  generous,  his  was  a  heart 
animated  by  powerful  human  sympathies ;  his  a 
courage  defiant  even  of  death. 

Both  cousins  were  rich,  sole  heir  and  heiress  of 
their  parents'  unbounded  wealth. 

To  free  her  negroes,  to  put  into  their  hands  the 
means  of  obtaining  an  honorable  living,  was  Maggie's 
long-cherished  and  ardent  wish  ;  and,  during  the  sad 


34  EYE-WITNESS. 

year  which   followed    her  bereavement,  many  plans 

were  projected  for  their  enfranchisement.     With  her 

cousin's  invaluable  aid,  legal  steps  had  been  taken 

for  their  freedom  ;  a  tract  of  land  negotiated  for,  and 

men  engaged  to  carry  out  her  most  humane  project, 

—  when  the  principles  of  a  Southern  ' '  Revolution  " 

were  whispered  of,  and  soon  were  fully  afloat. 

It  is  impossible  to  conceive  of  a  more  agitated  and 

violent  state  of  society.     Fathers,  sons,    brothers, 

friends,  fled  homes  — 

"  The  resort 
Of  love,  of  joy,  of  peace,  and  plenty,  where, 
Supporting  and  supported,  polished  friends. 
And  dear  relations  mingle  into  bliss — ." 

and,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  stood  in  hostile  ranks, 
wildly  and  maniacally  shouting,  *'War!"  Many, 
alas !  confident  that  some  compromise  would  be 
eflfected,  held  back,  until  neutrality  could  no  longer 
be  tolerated.  Then  there  was  no  choice,  but  to  take 
up  arms  in  defence  of  the  infant  league,  or  languish 
in  a  felon's  cell. 

A  fearful  ordeal  for  the  loyal  soul !  —  but  many  a 
one  there  was,  who,  scorning  the  traitor's  livery,  fell 
a  martyr  to  the  holy  cause  of  Liberty.  The  world 
may  never  know  these  martyred  heroes,  but,  on 
high,  in  the  *<  Eternal  Book,"  their  noble  deeds  are 
recorded,  written  by  the  *'  pen  of  truth." 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE    VICTORY   AT   BIG    BfiTHEL ITS   RESULTS. 

Shouts  of  victory  rent  the  air,  making  the  dark 
night  of  despair  and  treachery  tuneful,  when  tidings 
were  sent  along  the  lines  of  the  telegraphic  wires, 
of  a  complete  and  overwhelming  victory  ! 

The  first  onset  of  the  foe  at  Big  Bethel  had 
proved,  what  the  popular  cry  had  again  and  again 
reiterated — *'that  all  Yankees,  debased  by  abject 
and  menial  occupations,  were  cowards,  constitu- 
tionally." 

*'  O  !  Maggie,"  cried  a  merry  Rebel  bursting  in 
upon  the  cousin's  revery,  their  hearts  wrung  by 
the  news  the  morning's  paper  announced,  —  "  What 
a  splendid  victory  !  and  so  cheaply  won  !  the  cow- 
ardly Yankees  did  not  stand  the  first  round  of  shot ! 
away  they  all  «  flew  like  the  down  of  a  thistle,'  when 
General  Hill  gave  the  word,  '  Up  !  boys,  and  at 
them!'" 

* « I  have  read  the  particulars  of  the  fight  in  the 
morning's  Post,  We  certainly  got  the  better  of 
them.  There  was  one  brave  soul  there,  however, 
we  all  can  but  admire." 

**  Yes,  one,  who  took  a  fair  look  at  Dixie  boys. 
Brother  James  was  near  him  when  he  fell.  I  have 
his  letter  with  me.  Shall  I  read  you  what  he  wrote 
of  him?" 


36  EYE-WITNESS. 

Maggie  eagerlj  assented,  and  the  young  girl 
opened  her  letter  and  read  : — 

'*  There  was  one  Yankee  officer,  and  but  one, 
Sallie,  who  stopped  to  fight  us.  Deserted  by  his 
men,  he  stood  bare-headed  shouting  to  the  cowards  to 
turn  and  charge.  I  would  as  soon  have  shot  myself 
as  that  brave  fellow,  and,  although  within  a  few 
yards  of  our  guns,  not  a'  soul  was  there  in  our  regi- 
ment that  would  raise  an  arm  to  bring  him  down ; 
fired  with  admiration,  as  we  all  were,  at  such  intrepid 
courage.  Creeping  up  from  behind  a  cedar  thicket, 
one  of  our  men  would  have  held  him  prisoner,  in 
five  minutes  more,  when  a  shot  from  a  hut  near 
pierced  his  heart.  A  rush  to  the  spot,  and  there 
waa  that  miserable  John  Cobb,  boasting  of  having 
brought  one  high  buck  down.  If  Col.  Hoit  had  not 
been  in  the  hut,  it  would  have  gone  hard  with  the 
scamp.  Hoit  said,  jDointing  to  the  body,  lifeless  as 
the  log  by  which  he  fell,  '  Look  to  it  boys,  that  the 
Yankee  yonder  does  not  beat  you  in  the  fight,  which 
was  in  him.  Stand  firm  as  he  stood,  face  to  a  rain 
of  lead,  and  this  hour's  victory  shall  crown  every 
struggle  with  Northern  Yandals  ! '  " 

*'The  Post  says  it  was  Col.  Corcoran,  of  the 
Seventh  New  York." 

-''  Yes,  Maggie.  One  paper  says  Col.  Winthrop,* 
and  another  asserts  it  was  some  one  else  ;  all  give 
him  praise  for  heroic  efforts,  worthy  a  better  cause. 
There  is  not  another  so  courageous  a  soul  North, 
I  know ;  had  he  been  on  our  side,  fighting  for  his 
home  and  all  he  held  dear,  what  a  hero  for  us  to 
lament." 

The   signal   victory    of  June  tenth    gave  a  most 

*  It  was  Col.  W. 


EYE-WITNESS.  37 

momentous  impetus  to  the  cause,  which  the  boldest 
had    at   first   tremblingly  espoused.     Fired   by   the 
enthusiasm   which  victory  can  alone  Incite,  proudly 
confident  that  one  more  such   inglorious  defeat  would 
settle  the  '*  fuss,"  and  the  let-alone  principle  be  a 
compulsory  affair  on  the  part  of  the  North,  innumer- 
able hosts  rushed  to  the  field.     Every  exertion  was 
made,  every  effort  put  forth  to   equip  the  inhabiters 
of  village,  town,  and  city  for  the  impending  struggle 
at  Manassas —  "  the  grand  finale  of  this  most   un- 
natural  contest."     Days  and  nights  were  spent  m 
unremitting  toil.     Stores  closed,—  not  for  repan-s  or 
lack  of  custom,  but  from  the  stubborn  fact  that  there 
was  nothing  to  sell—  were  searched  and  researched 
for  some  little   article,  which  had   escaped  the  eyes 
of  the  party   detailed  for  begging  and  indiscrimmate 
store  sweeping.     Private   dwellings  were  up-turned 
and    out-turned    of    every    available    comfort,     so 
clamorous    was    the    cry— '*  more,     more,"    from 
camp,  barrack,  and  field.     Blankets  were  cheerfully 
snatched  from  beds,  soon  to  yield  sheets  and  pillows 
for  the  hospital  sick ;  the  shirt,  which  was  worn  to- 
day, was  on  the  morrow  cleansed  and  stripped  for 
bandages  or  scraped  for  lint ;  while  the  music  of  the 
knitting-needle  was  stunning  to  ears  refined.^ 

The'giving  was  noble,  the  sacrifice  nothing,  for, 
said  these  self-devoted  patriots,  **  Before  the  cold 
winds  of  winter  shall  rock  the  pines  and  whistle 
through  the  cane-brake.  Old  Abe's  ships  will  be 
rotting  in  Northern  harbors  ;  while  free  trade,  the 
o-reat  monopolizer  and  deadly  foe  to  Northern  com- 
merce, will  fill,  yes  glut,  the  markets,  which  the 
horrid,  barbarous,  exhausting  blockade  has  brought 
to  a  distressingly  collapsed  state." 
4 


CHAPTER   VI. 

A   FRIEND   IN   NEED. 

The  morning  of  the  hunt  —  the  one  made  mention 
of  in  the  opening  chapter  of  our  narrative  —  a  gentle- 
man sat  on  a  broad  veranda,  seemingly  engrossed  by 
his  cigar  and  newspaper.  His  pet  hounds  tumbled 
and  tossed  at  his  feet,  intent  upon  the  demolition  of 
the  Panama  hat,  which  their  master  had  thrown 
aside,  that  the  wind  might  cool  his  brow,  now  con- 
tracted and  severe  as  his  eye  scanned  the  telegraphic 
news  of  the  previous  evening  and  the  comments  of 
the  press. 

With  a  contemptuous  sneer  he  tossed  the  Examiner 
from  him,  and  with  agitated  steps  paced  the  veran- 
da. 

*  *  Egregious  fools  !  "  he  sharply  uttered  —  * '  to 
preach  *  peaceable  Secession,'  and  when  that  foul 
bubble  exploded,  to  hoodwink  the  masses  with  such 
abominable  trash  as  '  cotton  is  kins;,'  '  foreiim  inter- 
vention.'  England  and  France  will  not,  dare  not  to 
intermeddle.  Commercial  gain  is  no  fair  match  for 
such  principles  as  they  boast.  *  For  humanity's 
sake!'  —  yes,  when  the  North  and  South  are  torn, 
despoiled  of  all  power,  exhausted  as  they  surely  will 
be  if  this  war  goes  on,  these  transatlantic  vampires 
will  show  their  humanity  in  the  cry  —  *  every  man 


EYE-WITNESS.  39 

for  himself,'  as  they  pounce  down  upon  us  to  batten 
upon  the  spoils  of  a  disrupted  nation." 

<  *  The  North  can  whip  us  if  she  bares  her  arm  for 
the  blow,  and  nothing  remains  for  the  South  but 
annihilation,  and  extermination  of  every  man,  wo- 
man, and  child.  They  have  brought  it  upon  them- 
selves ;  let  retributive  justice  be  meted  out  to  them, 
full  measure,  pressed  down,  running  over, — they 
deserve  it !  " 

Resuminoc  his  cio^ar ,  Richard  Whedden  for  a  moment 
eyed  the  nearly  demolished  hat,  then  picked  it  up, 
flung  it  on  his  head  and  sauntered  down  a  broad 
walk,  which  through  a  noble  growth  of  trees,  led  to 
the  road. 

A  noise  from  below  growing  louder,  he  stopped, 
and  leaning  carelessly  against  a  huge  live  oak,  was, 
to  a  chance  observer,  an  indifferent  spectator  of  the 
brutal  treatment  which,  farther  up  the  road,  was  so 
humanely  stayed. 

Scarcely  was  the  crowd  by,  when  a  long,  shrill 
whistle  brought  to  ^:he  master's  side  a  black-skinned, 
chubby  little  fellow,  who,  hat  in  hand,  with  eyes  and 
face  aglow  with  fun,  stood  demurely  awaiting  the 
coming  order:  "My  horse.  Cars.  Three  minutes, 
not  a  second  over  to  bring  him  here,"  fell  upon  the 
ears  of  the  fast-retreating  figure,  who,  leaping,  tum- 
bling, and  shouting  '*  Dixie  Land,"  sped  on  until 
the  "lot"  was  reached.  Not  "  three  minutes"  but 
twenty  found  Mr.  Whedden  seated  on  a  noble  bay, 
slowly  cantering  up  the  road. 

He  drew  rein  at  Maggie  Blout's  gate.  "  Is  the 
boy  dead?"  said  a  strong  and  manly  voice  at  her 
side,  as  Maggie,  with  her  hands  full,  sprang  from  a 
porch,  up  a  low  flight  of  stairs,  which  led  to  the 


40  EYE-WITNESS. 

room  where  the  wounded  boy  had  been  carried.  Too 
intent  upon  her  mission  of  mercy  to  notice  the  strange 
tone ;  delighted  to  have  some  one  near  to  reheve  her 
hands,  that  she  might  fill  them  anew,  she  exclaimed, 
without  turning  her  head,  ''Take  these  bottles,  I 
have  forgotten  the  camphor.  No,  no.  I  will  see 
the  boy, — here,  take  my  keys  and  go  to  the  buffet 
and  bring  the  camphor  bottle.  Quick  !  now.  The 
poor  boy's  life  depends  on  our  despatch."  In  her 
eagerness  her  keys  became  entangled  and  would  not 
yield  to  her  nervous  fingers.  "Unbuckle  my  belt 
and  the  keys  will  fall,"  she  said  impatiently.  "  Dear, 
dear,  you  are  so  slow  !  " 

"Pardon  me,  madam,  I  am  not  accustomed  to 
buckles,"  was  the  quiet  reply.  Eager  as  Maggie 
was  to  reach  the  sick-room,  there  was  something  in 
the  voice  of  the  speaker  which  made  her  turn  to  look. 
With  one  glance  over  her  shoulder,  down  fell  the 
bottles  from  her  hands  outstretched  to  save  the  fall 
which  her  overwhelming  confusion  threatened.  Too 
late  !  but  strong  arms  caught  and  placed  her  upon 
the  narrow  step  now  moistened  with  laudanum  and 
ether.  This  was  no  time  for  apologies  —  none  were 
expected. 

"  I  am  seeking  the  sick  boy,"  the  stranger  said, 
' '  one  of  your  servants  told  me  I  should  find  him  at 
the  head  of  these  stairs.  Shall  I  take  the  remaining 
bottles  up  with  me,  or  seek  the  camphor?  "  he  asked 
with  a  scarcely  perceptible  smile. 

"  Take  the  bottles,  if  you  please  ;  it  is  the  room  at 
the  right,"  said  Maggie,  and  with  a  light  bound  she 
cleared  the  glass-strewn  steps  and  entered  the  house. 

The  long  hour  which  had  elapsed  since  Maggie 
left  her  side,  was  spent  by  Helen  Bierce  alone  in  the 


EYE-WITNESS.  41 

parlor.  Deep  emotion,  which  pride  had  repressed 
while  there  were  those  near  to  witness  it,  now  wholly 
overcame  her ;  and,  as  with  agitated  steps  she  walked 
the  long  room,  large,  scalding  tears,  such  as  never 
before  had  stained  her  haughty  but  expressive  face, 
rolled  down  upon  her  bosom. 

< '  Why  don't  Maggie  come  ?  "  at  last  escaped  her  ; 
< '  I  will  tell  her  all."  Then  wrapped  in  her  own  troub- 
led thoughts,  she  murmured  —  "  I  cannot  appear  as 
that  man's  accuser.  How  nobly  he  risked  his  life  to 
save  mine  !  how  tenderly  he  bore  me  in  his  arms  to 
his  mother's  door  !  how  kind  his  voice  and  his  eyes  — 
foolish,  foolish  girl ! "  she  cried,  springing  once  more 
to  her  feet,  (for  she  had  thrown  herself  upon  a  couch 
to  stifle  her  sobs  in  its  cushions,) — **  can  this  be 
Helen  Bierce,  thus  to  yield  to  tears  and  womanish 
pity !  To  my  country's  need  I  have  pledged  my 
energies,  my  life.  God  grant  if  it  be  mine  to  seal 
a  traitor's  doom,  that  this  heart,  these  ears  of  flesh 
may  be  turned  to  stone  !  " 

Not  long,  and  Helen  stood  once  more  on  the  ver- 
anda, no  trace  of  her  recent  emotion  visible  except 
in  her  heightened  color  and  the  unusual  brilliancy  of 
her  eyes. 

Her  attention  was  shortly  attracted  to  her  coach- 
man, who  was  untying  a  horse  at  the  gate. 

*'  Whose  horse  is  that?  Jim,"  she  cried. 

•*  Dun  know,  missis,  neber  see'd  him  afore,"  the 
boy  said,  as  at  a  motion  of  his  mistress,  he  led  the 
curvetting  steed  to  the  spot  where  she  stood. 

*'He  is  indeed  a  superb  creature,"  said  Helen, 
attempting  to  pat  his  arching  neck;  '*  don't  you 
know  to  whom  he  belongs,  Jim?  why  it  is  not  more 

than  a  week  ago,  I  heard  you  tell  your  master  you 

4* 


42  EYE-T\1TNESS. 

knew  everything,  when  urging  him  to  take  you  to 
Virginia  with  him," 

'*Thort  I  did,  missis;  but  you've  cotched  me  in 
a  tight  place  dis  yer  time.  Beg  pardon,  missis.  I 
hab  it.  ]\Iassa  Whedden  rides  him.  Dun  know 
nother  such  beauty  de  country  round." 

*'  Who?  Mr.  Whedden  down  yonder?  " 

**  Yees,  missis." 

'*  Not  so,  Jim;  for  Mr.  Whedden  never  comes 
here.     Do  you  question  the  servants  — " 

**No  needo'dat,  missis,"  said  Jim,  interrrupting, 
'*  its  my  'pinion  dat  he  owns  dis  yer  horse  hisself, 
and  nobody  else." 

*' Jim,  I  tell  you  this  horse  does  not  belong  to 
Mr.  AVhedden.  Here  is  an  opportunity  to  make 
good  Dine's  loss.  Have  him  I  must ;  a  thousand 
dollars  would  be  well  invested  in  such  a  prize.  Take 
this,"  she  said,  tossing  her  servant  a  bit  of  paper,  a 
substitute  for  money,  *'and  do  you,  Jim,  seek  the 
owner  and  make  known  to  him  my  wish  to  purchase 
his  horse." 

Again  bending  forward  she  attempted  to  stroke 
the  creature's  glossy  mane,  but  desisted  at  length 
warned  by  the  dangerous  proximity  of  one  of  the 
small  feet,  that  his  was  a  nature  decidedly  unap- 
proachable. 

On  re-entering  the  parlor  she  met  ]Maggie  who, 
relieved  somewhat  by  the  physician's  words,  «*  there 
is  an  even  chance,"  had  left  the  sick-room. 

<*  Well,  Maggie,  you  have  come  at  last,"  she  ex- 
claimed, drawing  to  her  side,  *'  how  weary  you  look. 
Why  so  overtax  your  strength  when  you  have  a 
house  full  of  servants  ?  "  Then  without  waiting  for 
a  reply  she  asked  abruptly,  turning  her  head  that 


EYE-WITNESS.  43 

Maggie  might  not  read  the  eagerness  which  her  face 
expressed  :  ' '  Will  the  boy  live  ?  " 

*'  We  hope  so.  There  is  an  uttter  prostration 
from  loss  of  blood.  Dr.  Bell  says  had  the  wounds 
been  neglected  until  medical  aid  was  secured,  he 
could  not  have  lived  the  day  out.  How  thoughtful 
in  you  to  send  me  his  mother's  address."  As  Helen 
made  no  reply,  she  resumed  :  '*  How  my  heart  aches 
for  this  afflicted  mother ;  her  life  seems  bound  up  in 
her  sons.  Harry  spoke  with  her  shortly  after  her 
arrival,  and  she  seemed  much  relieved  when  he  prom- 
ised her  to  see  Charley  (as  she  calls  the  elder,) 
before  night.  *  To  know  the  brother  was  in  his 
mother's  care,'  she  said,  *  would  nerve  him  for  the 
terrible  ordeal  before  him.'" 

*'  Maggie,"  said  Helen,  while  a  sudden  whiteness 
overspread  her  face,  '*  I  have  a  sad  tale  to  tell  you, 
but  not  now,  you  must  rest  first." 

'*  Nay,  tell  it  to  me  now.  This  fatigue  will  soon 
wear  oiF —  and  your  story  may  serve  to  banish  the 
fearful  scene  of  this  morning." 

A  deep,  heart-felt  sigh  escaped  Helen ;  but  recov- 
ering herself,  in  a  light  tone  she  said,  —  ''If  talking 
will  ease  you,  do  tell  me  who  that  gentleman  is  who 
owns  so  matchless  a  horse,  and  what  brought  him 
here  to-day  ?  The  horse  is  just  such  a  one  as  brother 
Will  wants,  and  has  been  the  State  over  to  find. 
Poor  Dine,  he  says  he  shall  never  make  her  loss 
good." 

"  Dine  dead  !     Nellie,  when  did  that  happen?" 

Waiving  her  question,  as  through  the  half-open 
door  she  saw  Harry  Blout  approaching,  with  forced 
gayety  Helen  pressed  her  inquiries  concerning  the 


stranger 


44  EYE-WITNESS. 


'*  You  saw  him,  Maggie? 
"Yes." 


*' Where?" 

*<  In  Aunt  Lizzie's  room." 

*'  Then  he  was  the  physician  whom  you  called  in  ?  " 

<*  No,  but  he  bound  up  the  boy's  lacerated  limbs ; 
indeed  he  took  every  thing  into  his  own  hands,  Harry 
and  myself  only  acting  under  orders,  so  quietly  and 
promptly  given  one  would  imagine  he  was  a  regular 
practitioner." 

*'  But  you  have  not  given  me  his  name." 

*'  The  strans^er  w^as  none  other  than  Richard  Whed- 
den,  our  nearest  neighbor." 

*' Impossible  !  "  exclaimed  Helen,  in  unaffected 
amaze,  —  "  Do  you  know  that  churl? " 

*'  I  Jaave  seen  Mr.  Whedden  pass  the  house  often, 
but  have  never  met  him  until  to-day." 

**  And  this,  his  first  call  here,  was  in  an  old  nig- 
ger's room,  binding  up  the  wounds  of  a  boy  picked 
from  the  street !  " 

'*  Why  not  ?  "  said  Maggie,  rebukingly,  —  ««  such 
suffering  as  we  have  witnessed  to-day  would  move 
any  heart  not  of  insensate  rock." 

"  Yes,  I  suppose  so,"  Helen  made  answer,  some- 
what abstractedly.  ' '  But  you  have  met  him  beforg  ?  " 
she  added,  turning  to  Harry,  who  had  entered'  the 
parlor,  and  seated  himself  near  the  cousins. 

"  Yes,  Miss  Helen,  in  Europe." 

' '  Anywhere  else  ?  " 

"In  Washington,  last  March." 

"  He,  certainly  did  not  go  on  to  the  inauguration 
of  that  Western  Rail  Splitter  ?  " 

"  He  is  not  a  man  to  be  questioned  as  to  his  mo- 
tives, Miss  Helen." 


EYE-WITNESS.  45 

<*  No,  I  suppose  not.  I  was  North  when  Mr. 
Whedden  made  his  appearance  in  this  neighborhood ; 
but  even  after  my  return,  some  months  subsequent  to 
his  advent  here,  his  name  and  oddities  were  the  theme 
of  many  busy  tongues.  And  do  you  know  no  more 
of  him,  INIr.  Blout,  than  the  world  about  here 
knows  ?  " 

*'  My  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Whedden  is  recent, 
and  withal,  shght,"  —  said  Harry. 

*  *  You  have  been  at  his  house  ?  " 

**  Occasionally."" 

* '  Every  thing  in  and  about  the  house  bespeaks  re- 
fined taste  and  wealth,  I  am  told." 

**Yes." 

'*  Strange,"  said  Helen,  musingly,  «<  but  from  the 
slight  glance  I  had  of  his  face,  as  he  passed  down  the 
law^n  with  you,  some  moments  since,  I  was  forcibly 
reminded  of  our  illustrious  General,  Arthur  Whed- 
den." As  her  remark  elicited  no  comment,  Helen 
resumed  —  **And  bearing  the  same  name,  I  am 
almost  convinced,  that  what  has  been  but  vaguely 
surmised  may  have  the  con-ectness  of  truth." 

*<  What  is  that?"  asked  Harry. 

Maggie  shook  her  head  deprecatingly  at  the  ques- 
tioner, and,  before  Helen  could  make  answer,  said  :  — 

*'  You  speak  of  a  likeness  between  the  two.  Where 
did  you  ever  see  General  Whedden,  Nellie?" 

**  Some  years  ago,  while  travelling  North,  an  acci- 
dent threw  INIr.  and  Mrs.  Whedden  into  our  party. 
We  learned  they  were  from  Charleston,  and  pleasure- 
seekers  like  ourselves.  Beauty,  wealth,  and  talent  of 
a  high  order,  set  off  by  most  polished  manners,  lent 
a  charm  to  these  strangers,  which  was  quite  irresisti- 
ble." 


46  EYE-WITNESS. 

*'  Charlestonlans  !  "  said  Harry,  sententiously. 

"  Laughing  at  me,  both  of  you,  for  rhapsodizing 
these  people,"  was  the  rejoinder.  ''I  deserve  it, 
however,"  Helen  added,  '*  for  no  one  in  days  past  has 
ridiculed  the  aristocratic  pretensions  of  our  semi-royal 
neighbors  more  than  myself.  But  I  speak  what  I 
know  to  be  wholly  true,  when  I  say,  that  the  merit 
of  these  two  Charlestonians  cannot  be  overestimated. 
True  nobility  of  soul  is  recognizable " 

* '  When  covered  by  the  purple  robe  becomingly 
worn,"  interrupted  Maggie,  laughingly. 

*'  And  we  may  expect,"  chimed  in  Harry,  ''  if,  in 
the  course  of  events,  Richard  Whedden  claims  kin  to 
General  Whedden,  he  will  also  be  entitled  to  a  share 
of  your  admiration." 

*'  When  he  has  shown  himself  worthy  of  it,  yes," 
said  Helen,  with  some  hauteur. 

*' And  if  one,  blest  with  the  power  of  divining  the 
occult,  should  point  out  a  general's  star  in  Richard 
Whedden's  destiny,  eclipsing  the  one  worn  by " 

**  Richard  Whadden  a  general!  /ze,  the  embodied 
essence  of  selfishness,  never  !  Men  of  his  class,  men 
who  ignore  all  social  and  religious  ties,  I  fully  believe 
are  but  the  vagaries  of  nature,  wholly  heartless  and 
spiritless,  possessing  not  one  of  the  noble  attributes 
which  grace  the  statesman  or  general." 

*'  Thoroughly  used  up,"  said  Harry,  oracularly,  as 
he  turned  away,  too  generous  to  let  Helen  see  the 
merriment  her  w^ords  occasioned. 

**  Be  not  so  uncharitable,  Nellie,"  said  her  cousin, 
gently.  *'  The  kindness  shown  to  a  stranger  this 
morning  by  Mr.  Whedden,  coupled  with  like  acts 
with  which  I  am  conversant,  convince  me  that  some 
sunbeam  yet  may  penetrate  this  armour  of  haughty 


EYE-WITNESS.  47 

reserve  and  chilling  seclusiveness,  and  find  a  heart 
exquisite  at  the  core."  The  door,  at  this  moment, 
was  thrown  open,  and  Mr.  Whedden  was  announced. 

The  gentlemen  soon  left ;  urgent  business  calling 
them  to  town.  Hardly  were  they  out  of  hearing  of 
Helen's  voice,  when  she  exclaimed  — 

*'  Maggie,  he  must  be  kin  to  Arthur  Whedden  ;  if 
they  were  brothers  they  could  not  look  more  like. 
Come  to  the  window,"  she  cried,  springing  up. 
*'  There  they  go  down  the  road.  See  how  he  sits 
his  horse  —  horse  and  rider  as  one  —  a  noble  cen- 
taur ! " 

*'  What  further  rhapsodies  will  the  name  of  Whed- 
den call  forth?"  asked  Mas^orie,  as  she  arose  and 
joined  Helen  at  the  open  casement. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

MISS   HELEN   RELATES    HER   ADVENTURES. 

The  calm  hour  of  eventide  found  Maggie  looking 
out  Into  the  cratherinor  darkness  for  the  return  of 
Harry,  that  she  might  bear  tidings  of  the  prisoner  to 
the  trembling  watchers  under  her  roof.  At  her  side 
Helen  still  lingered,  striving  to  nerve  herself  to  the 
task  of  unburdening  her  heart,  a  heart  whose  better 
impulses  were  being  uprooted  fast  by  stern  war's 
hateful  bane.  Winding  her  arm  caressingly  about 
Maggie,  as  they  sat  side  by  side,  she  said  at  length, 

—  "  Hear  what  I  must  tell  you,  and  then  strengthen 
me  for  what  I  must  do." 

Little  did  Helen  think,  that  the  one,  to  whom  she 
turned  for  support,  for  courage  to  crush  the  woman ^ 
so  she  might  serve  her  cause,  was  of  the  tabooed  set. 

—  Yankee  sympathizers.  Maggie's  seeming  IndliFer- 
ence  to  the  exigencies  of  the  liour  was  attributed 
to  the  great  shock  she  had  sustained  In  the  death  of 
her  father.  Selfish,  as  many  thought  her,  to  allow 
her  bereavement  to  make  her  so  unmindful  of  her 
country's  need,  no  thought,  no  suspicion  of  the  truth 
that  she  was  intensely  Northern  in  her  proclivities, 
was  entertained.  And  Maggie  Blout  was  but  one  of 
the  many  who  said,  *'  our  forces,"  '*  our  successes  ;  " 
who  looked  grave,  and  smiled  unwillingly,  when 
shouts  for  "  Dixie  "rose;  and  who  refused  to  con- 
tradict powerful  telegrams,  which  sounded,  "Yankees 


EYE-WITNESS.  49 

whipped,"  **  armies  completely  demoralized,"  '*  peace 
suinsr,"  &c.  &c.  To  make  known  their  sentiments 
was  not  only  to  restrict  the  little  good  a  limited 
sphere  could  eiFect,  but  doom  themselves  to  imprison- 
ment, to  atrocities,  the  human  heart  shudders  to 
chronicle.  They  knew  the  irresistible  power  of 
right,  and  they  felt  that  right  must  ultimately  pre- 
vail. 

**What  troubles  you,  Nellie?  tell  me,"  Maggie 
said. 

**  You  know,  of  course,"  Helen  replied,  **  that  all 
of  our  city  ladies,  except  a  few  like  youiself,  who 
from  family  troubles  have  not  met  with  us,  have 
bound  themselves  by  a  vow  as  sacred  as  mortals  can 
utter,  to  aid  the  Soutli  in  this  unnatural  strife.  My 
trial  has  come,  and  finds  me  weak,  vacillating,  and 
wretched."  "  Your  trial  come,  you  have  had  it  with 
you  since  these  troubles  begun,"  said  Maggie,  as 
Helen  stopped  and  turned  away  her  face  in  the  vain 
endeavor  to  recover  composure. 

**  No  matter  what  I  have  done,  it  is  what  I  have 
to  do,  which  makes  me  tremble.  First,  hear  this," 
she  added,  taking  a  note  from  her  pocket,  "  it  was 
sent  here  some  hours  since,  then  I  can  tell  you  all : — 

My  dear  Daughter  :  That  miserable  Coxe  has 
been  caught  at  last.  Instead  of  visiting  summary 
punishment  upon  the  traitor,  he  is  to  have  a  hearing 
to-morrow.  Dr.  Hall  is  out  of  town,  consequently 
your  testimony  alone  convicts  him.  Return  to-night ; 
you  go  to  the  court-house  to-morrow.  I  thank 
heaven  my  daughter  is  brave  to  do  her  duty. 
Your  loving  father, 

F.  Bierce, 

5 


50  EYE-WITNESS. 

**  Xellle,"  burst  from  her  cousin's  lips  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  letter,  "  it  cannot  be  that  you " 

she  stopped,  then  added,  *'  this  is  very  sad,  but  tell 
me  all." 

''It  is  soon  told.  Xot  long  since,  on  one  of  my 
be£:2:inG:  excursions,  the    horses  took  frioht  as  Jim 

•  •  r^\^ 

was  dismounting  to  open^he  carriage  door.  They 
dashed  down  Danforth  and  Green  streets  on  to  Main, 
and  were  within  a  few  feet  of  the  railroad  track,  as 
the  cars  came  in  sight.  A  terrible  doom  awaited  me, 
but  at  this  critical  moment,  a  man  on  horseback  leaped 
at  the  horses'  heads.  With  a  blow  Dine  fell  to  the 
ground.  I  sprung  from  the  carriage ;  I  was  calm, 
much  more  so  than  I  am  now,  but,  in  jumping,  I 
caught  my  dress,  and  was  thrown  with  great  violence 
against  some  timber  near  the  track.  I  was  not 
wholly  stunned,  for  I  remember  being  picked  up  and 
borne  by  strong  arms  some  distanco.  After  hours  of 
unconsciousness,  I  awoke  to  find  myself  on  a  bed  in  a 
strange  house  ;  at  my  side  sat  a  dear  little  girl,  sob- 
bing bitterly.  Voices  from  an  adjoining  room  met 
my  ear.  I  listened,  thinking  I  might  get  some  clue 
to  the  people  who  had  so  kindly  befriended  me ;  and 
I  heard,  '  Mother,  do  leave  me.  The  sick  lady 
may  revive  and  need  your  assistance.' " 

*'  I  must  attend  to  you  now,  Charley  ;  I  have  done 
all  for  the  lady  that  my  limited  skill  allows.  The 
doctor,  I  hope,  will  soon  be  liere.  Dear  !  this  is  a 
bad  wound ;  the  flesh  is  laid  open  to  the  bone." 

"Never  mind,  a  few  stitches  will  make  that  all 
right ;  I  suffer  most  in  my  hand.  Bathe  it  once 
more,  then  leave  me." 

**  The  words  were  scarcely  uttered  when  a  heavy 
fall   and  a  stifled  groan   assured  me   I  was  not  the 


EYE-WITNESS.  51 

greatest  sufferer.  "What  a  dear,  brave  woman  that 
mother  was  !  She  came  softly  to  my  bedside.  '  *  I 
am  2:lad,'  she  said,  *  that  the  lady  is  still  unconscious ' 
Vfinnie,  your  brother  has  fainted.  I  cannot  wait  for 
Dr.  Hall,  I  must  go  for  some  other  physician. 
Don't  be  afraid,  but  be  a  faithful  nurse,  I  shall  soon 
be  home.' 

*'  *  Won't  the  stranger  cry  when  she  wakes  up  and 
sees  all  this  blood  ?  ' 

"  *  No,  no,  kiss  me  good  by,  and  remember  to 
keep  very  quiet.' 

"  How  long  those  moments  seemed  !  I  thought  no 
longer  of  my  own  pain,  I  thought  only  of  the  bi'ave 
soul  near,  faint  from  anguish.  Not  long,  and  a  low 
voice  called  from  the  room  beyond  the  one  where  I 
lay.  Softly  as  a  kitten  Winnie  stole  away,  and 
again  I  was  a  listener. 

«'  «  Has  she  spoken  yet,  Sis?  '     I  heard. 

**  *  No,  Charley,  but  oh  !  she  is  so  white  !  maybe 
she  won't  wake  no  more.' 

*'  *  Is  mother  with  her?  ' 

«*  '  No,  mamma  has  gone  for  a  doctor.* 

"  '  Why,  George  went  long  ago.' 

* '  'jiamma  went  right  oiFwhen  you  fell  down.  What 
made  you,  Charley?  you  shook  the  house  awful.' 

*'  YVhy,  little  one,  I  did  not  go  down  purposely. 
But,  tell  me,  were  you  with  mother  when  she  dressed 
her  wounds?' 

''  *  Yes,  mamma  and  me  did  them  up.' 

"  *  What  could  such  little  fingers  as  yours  do?' 

"  '  Oh  !  I  took  off  her  slippers,  and  her  stockings, 
and  her ' 

*'  '  Never  mind  what  she  had  on,  Sis.  Tell  where 
she  was  hurt.' 


52  EYE-WITNESS. 

*^  <  On  her  head,  and  there  is  a  great  hole  in  her 
shoulder,  and  her  bosom  is  all  red.  Won't  she  be 
cross  with  mamma  for  cutting  her  clothes  so  ? ' 

*'  '  No,  not  when  she  knows  it  could  not  be  helped. 
Go  in  to  her  room  now,  and  see  if  she  still  keeps  so 
very  still ;  and  mind,  if  she  is  conscious,  and  wants 
anything,  come  and  let  me  know.' 

**  *  On  tip-toe  she  stole  in  and  up  on  to  the 
bed.  When  she  saw  my  eyes  open,  she  would  have 
jumped  down,  but  I  held  her  fast.  She  told  me 
her  name  was  Winnie  Coxe.  *  Are  you  all  well 
now?'  she  asked,  *  and  can  Charley  do  anything  for 
you  ;  he  wants  to ' 

**  *  First,  tell  me  who  Charley  is?  ' 

<'  *  Why, Charley  is  the  one  who  stopped  the  horses  ; 
yes,  and  he  brought  you  way  here  in  his  arms. 
Don't  you  suppose  they  ached  some?  mamma  says, 
you  are  right  smart  fat.' 

*'  *  He  was  very  brave  and  good,  certainly.  Did 
the  horses  hurt  him  ? ' 

*«  '  Yes,  he  got  hurt  awful,  but  he  did  n  't  make  one 
bit  of  fuss.  He  said  he  would  n  't  mind  being  most 
killed  for  such  a  pretty  lady.' 

^' A  noise  in  the  next  room  took  the  little  nurse 
away,  to  see  what  kitty  had  knocked  down.  She 
came  back  directly,  but  spoke  not  a  word,  and  only 
shook  her  head  when  I  asked  her  what  mischief 
pussy  had  done.  Dr.  Hall  came  in  soon  afterward. 
He  was,  I  thought,  remarkably  quiet.  He  exam- 
ined my  cuts  and  bruises,  and  said  in  the  morning  I 
could  be  carried  home.  Mrs.  Coxe  and  a  stranger, 
whom  I  afterwards  learned  was  Dr.  Brown,  came  in 
at  this  time,  and  seeing  me  in  Dr.  Hall's  care, 
passed  into  the  next  room.     I  begged  Dr.  Hall  to 


EYE-WITNESS.  '  53 

follow,  that  I  might  know  just  how  badly  the  young 
man  was  hurt.  He  did  so,  and  came  back  to  me 
saying :  *  A  kick  from  one  of  the  horses  had  injured 
one  knee  very  seriously,  and  one  hand  and  arm 
were  in  a  badly  inflamed  state.'  The  doctor  left, 
after  seeing  me  comfortably  arranged  for  the  night, 
and  promised  to  call  at  the  house  to  quiet  all  appre- 
hension on  my  account.  Papa,  I  knew,  would 
come  directly  to  me  and  bring  Kizzie,  which  would 
relieve  these  kind  strangers  from  nursing  me  longer. 
I  fell  asleep,  and  on  awaking  was  conscious  that  it 
was  night.  A  murmur  of  voices  from  the  room 
adjoining  met  my  ear.  I  would  not  listen,  but  lay 
studying  why  no  one  came  to  me  from  home.  The 
voices  grew  louder.  I  heard  papa's  name  men- 
tioned, and  that  alone  fixed  my  attention.  This  is 
the  conversation,  which,  with  startling  distinctness, 
came  to  me  :  — 

'*  *  What  a  confounded  affair  this,  just  as  we  are 
off,  Charley  !  We  shall  put  off  our  tramp  to  Lib- 
erty's land,  however,  until  you  can  go  with  us.' 

**  *  You  are  mad  to  speak  of  delay.  Bill.  You 
must  start  by  to-morrow's  dawn,  as  agreed  upon.' 

'*  *  What,  leave  you  here  to  don  old  Jeff's  livery 
or  swing?' 

'*  *  Yes.  I  must  now  take  my  chance  alone  ;  but 
if  shut  in  here  forever^  no  earthly  power  shall  make 
me  lend  a  hand  to  the  most  diabolical  conspiracy 
which  ever  was  hatched,  or  spill  Yankee  blood,  — 
so  help  me  God. 

**  '  Yes,  yes,  Coxe,  we  know  the  temper  of  the 
steel  you  are  made  of,  and  we  boys  know,  too,  you 
are  the  very  one  for  the  Rebels  to  clutch.  Your 
name  was  handled  roughly  enough  to-day ;  but  we, 

6* 


54  EYE-WITNESS. 

who  were  in  the  secret,  laughed  inly,  you  may  be 
sure,  for  we  knew  that  another  sun  would  find  us  all 
in  the  mountains.  By  St.  Peter !  I  would  rather 
have  lost  my  chance  of  getting  out  of  the  State 
altogether,  than  to  see  you  thus  crippled.' 

"  '  I  would  like  to  see  the  boys  before  they  're 
off,  Bill.' 

**  *  Xever  fear,  not  a  -soul  of  the  gang  but  will  lay 
eyes  on  you  before  they  set  out.' 

"  *  What  came  off  at  the  Court  House  to-day, 
Smith,  —  any  more  secesh  speeches  ? ' 

'*  *  Secesh  speeches,  —  yes  !  Bierce  was  holding 
forth  as  I  drew  up.  I  tell  you  what,  Dr.  Brown, 
the  **  old  line  whigs  "  haven't  a  greater  enemy  in 
the  State  than  he.'  ^ 

*  *  '  Confound  him  !  If  it  was  n't  for  Hattie's  sake 
I  'd  rid  the  earth  of  such  a  monster.  Coxe,  if  it 
should  get  to  his  ears  that  you  are  of  the  tabooed 
set,  Yankee  sympathizers,  there  's  death  ahead  sure. 
He  's  a  keen,  killing  shot,  and  handles  a  bowie  knife 
as  a  schoolmaster  his  pen.' 

**  *  That  may  be.  Brown;  but  I  have  no  fear  of 
meeting  him.' 

"  '  Better  not,  Charley.  Shun  him  as  you  would 
*'  black  Jack."  He  's  not  a  man  to  forget  an  injury  ; 
the  sins  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  is  the  creed 
he  lives  up  to.' 

"  *  Enough  of  that.  Smith.  See  how  it  worries 
the  man.' 

*'  *  "Well,  Brown,  Bierce  will  not  find  a  disciple  in 
you ;  that 's  so,  if  you  do  swear  you  're  secesh  out 
and  out.' 

''  '  Yes,  boys,  for  my  w'ife's  sake  and  my  clilld's  I 
swear  I'm  secesh,    and  curse  Abe  Lincoln  till  my 


EYE-WITNESS.  55 


tonofue   Is   as    black    as   the    souls   of  these  d- 


Breckites  !  Had  I  no  family  I'd  cut  profession, 
niggers,  everything  I  own  here,  and  strip  for  Lib- 
erty's  run.      My  !    what    a   glorious   pull-up 

there  is  In  store  for  you  ! ' 

*'  Steps  upon  the  w^^lk  I  now  heard,  and  many 
feet  passed  into  the  house.  Low  voices  uttered 
regret  at  their  friend's  mishap,  and  many  offers  were 
made  to  await  his  convalescence,  that  his  might  not 
be  a  lone  journey  to  Uncle  Sam's  pastures.  All 
were,  however,  firmly  but  kindly  refused.  Adieux 
followed,  and  the  crowd  silently  stole  away,  the 
doctor  alone  remaining. 

*'  'Lincoln  won't  put  weapons  into  those  boys' 
hands  for  nothing,  Coxe.  If  they  don't  show  what 
fight  there  Is  In  them,  they  '11  deserve  the  fate  which 
awaits  them  If  caught.  But  tell  me  how  they  are  to 
get  out  of  this  d Confederacy  ? ' 

*  *  '  They  are  to  strike  difterent  roads  to  Salem ; 
there  they  are  to  meet  and  push  on  together  for  the 
mountains.  Once  In  the  defiles  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
with  liberty  to  cheer  them,  and  Kentucky  Is  theirs  ! ' 

"  *  'T  Is  a  mean  thing,  old  fellow,  that  you  must 
lie  here  bed-ridden  and  lose  this  glorious  chance. 
If  I  could  put  my  valuables  into  a  sack  for  my  back 
I'd  set  off  to-night.' 

**  '  Your  wife  and  child  might  object  to  that  mode 
of  travel.' 

***HattIe,  never!  She'd  go  through  fire  and 
water  to  reach  her  former  home ;  and  I  would,  for 
her,  to  get  her  safely  there.' 

<*  '  Is  she  from  the  North?' 

*'  *  From  Pennsylvania.' 

* '  *  But  you  can  get  a  pass  for  her  and  child  from 
Gov.  Ellis.' 


56  EYE-WITNESS. 

*<  «  Ellis,  why  he  's  a  dead  man,  or  what  *s  more 
to  the  point,  soon  will  be.' 

'*  '  Clark  succeeds  him.  What  sort  of  a  Gov- 
ernor will  he  make  ? ' 

<*  *  Clark  !  he  's  a  senseless  fellow. 

"  His  wits  were  given  him  for  a  token, 
But  in  the  carriage  cracked  and  broken." 

By  the  way,  Coxe,  what  smash-up  was  it  which 
brought  you  on  to  your  back?' 

'*  'I  paid  no  heed  to  the  carriage,  for  the  lady 
demanded  all  my  attention.' 

* '  «  What  was  done  with  her  ? ' 

**  *  I  brouo^ht  her  here.  You  remember  Dr.  Hall 
gave  me  a  call  shortly  after  your  arrival.' 

*'  *  He  came  to  see  her,  did  he,  and  carried  her  to 
her  friends  ? ' 

*'  *  If  I  remember  rightly  she  was  not  to  be  moved 
until  morning.' 

<*  *  Where  in  thunder  is  she,  —  not  in  this  house? 
Why,  man,  what's  the  matter?  you  are  shaking 
like  an  ague  subject.' 

''  *  There  is  cause  for  some  alarm.  Brown.  It 
has  just  occurred  to  me  that  this  evening's  conversa- 
tion may  have  been  overheard  by  this  stranger.' 

"  '  There's  mischief  ahead,  Coxe,  as  I  am  a  living 
man.' 

**  *  She  may  be  sleeping.' 

**  '  True  ;  I  '11  soon  convince  myself  of  that  fact, 
however.  If  she  shows  the  least  consciousness,  — 
hang  the  match  !  it  won't  light,  —  I  '11  — ' 

"  The  remainder  of  the  sentence,  in  my  extreme 
agitation,  I  lost.  Conscious  that  I  was  unknown, 
and  that  my  life,  perhaps,  depended  upon  my  re- 


EYE-WITNESS.  57 

mainmg  so,  to  escape  from  the  house  was  my  only 
alternative.  But  how  to  effect .  it !  each  moment 
was  precious,  for  escape  I  must,  before  Dr.  Brown 
could  bring  his  candle  to  my  face.  I  was  confident 
he  would  recognize  me ;  for,  from  the  moment  of 
his  mentioning  his  wife's  name,  /  knew  him,  —  knew 
him  as  a  man  apparently  of  strong  secesh  proclivi- 
ties. Xow  his  life  was  in  my  hands ;  the  knowledge 
of  that  alone  I  felt  would  make  him  desperate. 
Steps  were  approaching ;  my  resolution  was  taken. 
I  sprung  from  the  bed  and  behind  the  door  through 
which  he  was  to  pass.  As  he  crossed  its  sill  and 
advanced  a  step  beyond  it,  I  waved  my  handker- 
chief; the  sickly,  flickering  flame  went  out.  With 
an  oath  he  turned  back  for  another  match,  and  I 
heard  him  curse  the  night  air  for  serving  him  such  a 
trick.  The  door,  which  opened  upon  the  veranda, 
was  ajar ;  on  a  chair  near  it  I  remembered  seeing 
Mrs.  Coxe,  on  entering,  lay  her  shawl.  It  was  but 
the  work  of  a  moment  to  throw  it  over  my  head  and 
reach  the  street.  Swiftly  I  ran  until  I  gained  the 
railroad  track,  then  stopped  to  take  breath.  From 
the  house  which  I  had  left  a  light  streamed  out, 
whose  beams  revealed  a  group  looking  out  into  the 
night  for  a  delirious  sick  woman,  as  no  doubt  they 
thought  me.  The  clatter  of  hoofs,  coming  thick  and 
fast,  compelled  me  to  leave  my  point  of  observation 
and  seek  the  friendly  shelter  of  a  culvert.  Horresco 
referens  !  the  rider  drew  rein  as  he  reached  the  spot 
where  I  crouched.  Closer  I  gathered  my  scant  gar- 
ments about  me,  and  sunk  deeper  into  the  muddy 
water.  The  horseman  leaped  to  the  ground.  He 
must  have  seen  me,  I  thought ;  I  placed  my  hand 
over  my  mouth  and  laid   my  length   in   the  dark 


58  EYE-WITNESS. 

stream.  He  sprung  down  the  bank,  —  *  Fool  that 
I  am,'  I  heard,  *  I  tliought  I  saw  something  white. 
Ah  !  there  's  the  carriage  yonder ;  that  will  perhaps 
*^give  me  some  clue  to  the  missing  w^oman.'  Up  the 
steep  bank  he  climbed  ;  I  was  safe  !  I  raised  myself 
and  crept  half  w^ay  up  the  embankment,  and  by  the 
faint  starlight  saw  my  pursuer  examining  the  carri- 
age, BafSed  there  !  I  could  have  shouted ;  for  the 
carriage  w^as  a  new  one,  and  I  knew  the  light  was 
insufficient  for  him  to  recognize  Dine.  ^  Thank 
heaven  for  murky  skies  !  I  shall  escape  you  yet ! '  I 
mentally  exclaimed.  But  no,  his  attention  is  again 
attracted  towards  me.  Could  the  winds  have  borne 
my  unspoken  words  to  him,  or  did  my  eyes,  which 
glared  upon  him,  draw  him  towards  me  by  some 
mesmeric  power  !  Hateful  thought !  I  closed  them 
and  my  mouth  firmly,  lest  my  fierce  breathing  should 
betray  me.  Towards  me  he  came,  slowly  ;  one  foot 
actually  crushing  the  twigs  which  lay  by  my  side  ! 
One  moment  of  intense  emotion,  and  then  1  breathed 
freely.  Oh  !  what  a  thanksgiving  swelled  my  heart 
when  I  saw  the  man  mount,  and  heard  the  clatter  of 
his  horse's  hoofs  down  the  road  ! 

**  When  I  again  reached  the  track  the  city  clocks 
rung  out  one  ;  the  day  had  already  begun.  As  I  neared 
the  city,  desperation  and  the  horror  of  detection 
nerved  me  to  almost  superhuman  exertions.  Elm 
and  Green  streets  were  finally  reached  and  safely  too  ; 
the  night-watch  were  not  over  vigilant ;  I  saw,  but 
escaped  them.  On  Danforth,  one  more  square,  and 
I  shoidd  reach  home  !  alas  !  a  boisterous  crowd  sud- 
denly burst  upon  me.  Providentially  St.  Luke's 
Church  w^as  at  hand.  I  had  time  only  to  reach  the 
friendly  shelter  of  an  arch,  when  the  men  swept  by, 


EYE-WITNESS.  59 

—  officers  and  privates  of  our  regiment  on  tlieir  way 
from  the  hall.  How  my  heart  leaped  when  I  heard 
brother  Will's  voice  !  (he  was  urging  on  a  man,  who 
had  lain  down  upon  the  church  steps,  declaring  he 
would  sleep  the  night  out  there)  —  and  it  made  me 
strong  to  encounter  further  peril.  The  two  finally 
moved  on,  and  I  glided  away.  In  a  few  moments  I 
stood  upon  our  balcony.  I  knew  where  Will's  night- 
key  hung  ;  it  turned  in  the  lock,  the  door  opened  and 
I  stole  to  my  room.  I  lighted  the  gas  ;  then  walked 
to  the  mirror.  One  glance  sufficed  :  that  Dr.  Hall 
must  be  sent  for  was  as  evident  as  the  necessity  of 
my  removing  every  sign  of  the  direful  disorder  of  my 
appearance  before  ringing  for  aid.  When  the  light 
of  the  coming  day  first  streaked  the  horizon  my  task 
was  complete.  I  rung  for  my  maid ;  the  cook  an- 
swered my  summons.  I  told  her  I  was  sick ;  that 
Dr.  Hall  must  be  sent  for ;  and  that  Jim  must  come 
directly  to  my  room.  To  satisfy  my  own  curiosity 
as  to  the  absence  of  so  many  of  the  flimily,  she  told 
me  on  entering  that  papa  had  been  called  out  of  town 
and  had  taken  his  wife  and  Kizzle  with  him.  I  must 
expose  myself  to  the  like,  and  I  was  determined  that 
no  one  should  know  of  that  nioht's  adventure  but  our 
good  friend  and  physician,  Dr.  Hall,  for  in  his  judg- 
ment and  keen  sagacity  I  have  the  most  implicit 
confidence.  Jim  came  to  my  room ;  and  of  him  I 
learned,  that,  in  attempting  to  follow  the  carriage, 
he  had  fallen,  and,  although  much  hurt,  had  managed 
to  crawl  home.  In  his  uncommon  fright,  he  said,  he 
was  waiting  for  his  master  to  come  in  to  make  known 
the  accident,  when  Dr.  Hall  drove  up.  He  told  him 
I  was  safe,  where  the  carriage  was  to  be  found,  and 
bade  him  go  for  me  in  the  morning.     Dine  he  had 


60  EYE-WITNESS. 

ordered  shot ;  she  was  so  crippled  by  her  fall.  To 
my  inqinry,  why  he  (Jim)  had  not  sent  for  the  car- 
riage, he  said,  *  he  set  the  boys  off  for  the  live  horse, 
but  he  thought  dead  j)roperty  might  go  until  morn- 
ino:.'  I  told  him  I  would  ofive  him  one  hour  to  brins: 
home  the  carriage,  and  dispose  of  Dine ;  that  if  he 
was  not  up  to  time  I  should  report  him  to  his  master, 
and  he  knew  what  would  follow.  He  moved  quickly 
away,  utterly  regardless  of  the  night's  bruises,  if  one 
he  had ;  and  I  heard  him  mutter,  as  he  closed  the 
door,  — '  don't  'gree  wid  young  missis  to  git  upsot ; 
neber  seed  her  look  so  like  old  missis  afore.' 

*  *  How  impatiently  I  waited  for  the  doctor ;  I  felt 
I  was  sinking,  and  did  so  need  my  maid  to  nurse  me. 
It  was  the  first  time  papa's  wife  had  carried  her 
selfishness  so  far  as  to  monopolize  one  of  my  servants  ; 
and  the  want  of  Kizzie,  at  this  time,  made  me  feel 
more  thoroughly  angry  towards  the  woman,  who 
fills  my  mother's  place,  than  any  of  her  acts  of  petty 
tyranny,  daily  practised  upon  one  and  all  of  our 
household,  had  ever  done. 

**  With  my  head  upon  the  window-sill,  I  watched 
for  that  well-known  buggy  ;  I  saw  it  drive  up  ;  then 
a  strange  giddiness  seized  me.  Recovering  myself, 
I  found  Dr.  Hall  at  my  bedside.  My  first  question 
made  him  laugh  outright.  *  I  did  not  strike  you, 
wilful  girl,'  he  said.  *  I  came  here  at  your  bidding, 
and  receiving  no  answer  to  my  knock  at  your  door,  I 
opened  it  and  found  an  empty  bed.  A  shape,  envel- 
oped in  a  window  curtain,  however,  attracted  my 
attention  ;  I  picked  it  up  and  find  it  has  a  tongue.' 
He  scolded  me  well  for  risking  my  life  to  secure  home 
nursing;  but  not  until  he  had  bound  up  my  arm 
anew  and  had  administered  an  anodyne  would  he  sig- 


EYE-WITNESS.  61 

nify  his  consent  to  hear  what  I  had  to  tell  hira.  Of 
my  nocturnal  adventure  I  told  hIra  all ;  not  one  word 
of  the  conversation  which  I  had  overheard  escaped 
me.  Very  grave,  he  sat,  and  I  even  heard  him  sigh 
as  I  finished  my  recital.  How  my  heart  blessed  him, 
when  he  said,  '  Helen,  leave  all  to  me  ;  I  will  answer 
all  inquiries,  solve  all  mystery,  and  keep  your  secret.' 
And,  Maggie,  at  my  earnest  solicitation,  he  promised 
to  aid  the  young  man,  traitor  though  he  is,  to  escape 
from  the  State.  When  I  remarked,  that  Dr.  Brown 
should  be  exposed,  he  said :  *  He  was  a  former  stu- 
dent of  mine ;  but  leave  this  affair  wholly  in  my 
hands ;  you  certainly  can  trust  me.'  With  the  prom- 
ise to  report  to  me  what  success  he  might  meet  with, 
and  that  his  delay  should  be  as  short  as  possible,  he 
left  me.  A  severe  run  of  fever  followed  that  night 
of  fright,  exposure,  and  fatigue.  When  I  awoke  to 
consciousness,  I  found  Dr.  Hall  in  attendance.  Of 
him  I  learned  that,  on  leaving  me,  that  memorable 
morning,  he  had  gone  directly  to  Mrs.  Coxe's  house. 
He  found  the  family  in  great  anxiety,  concerning  my 
mysterious  disappearance,  but  quieted  all  their  ap- 
prehensions, without  exciting  a  suspicion  of  the  real 
cause  of  my  flight.  Dr.  Brown,  he  said,  was  not  to  be 
found,  and,  giving  up  the  search  for  him,  he  returned 
to  the  house  to  find  me  alarmingly  ill.  To  papa,  he 
had  explained  the  accident,  and  the  cause  which  had 
occasioned  my  flight  from  the  house  where  I  had  been 
removed  after  my  fall.  He  avoided  giving  papa  the 
name  of  the  people  who  had  befriended  me,  but  said, 
in  the  delirium  of  fever  I  not  only  mentioned  their 
name,  but  aroused  his  suspicion  as  to  their  character. 
He  told  me  also,  that  papa  had  made  inquiries  with 
regard  to  them,  and  was  now  only  waiting  my  con- 
6 


62  EYE-WITNESS. 

valescence  to  ascertain  of  me  If  they  were  correct. 
And  he  added:  *  the  young  man,  Helen,  is  beyond 
pursuit,  —  I  have  done  your  bidding ;  now  take  my 
counsel  and  have  no  words  with  your  father  on  this 
subject  for  several  days  to  come.' 

"  What  I  told  papa  on  the  following  day  more 
than  satisfied  him  that  Dr.  Brown  was  a  traitor,  and 
for  him,  we  both  agreed,  there  was  no  doom  too  igno- 
minious. When  he  mentioned  my  preserver,  I 
pleaded  headache ;  that  a  few  days  would  find  me 
sufficiently  strong  to  tell  him  all  that  followed  my  fiill. 
Considerate,  as  he  usually  is,  he  seemed  deeply  to 
regret  the  delay  I  urged,  and  said  :  *  You  spoke  the 
name  of  Coxe.  I  know  of  but  one  family  of  that 
name  in  town.  It  may  be,  yes  it  may  be,  that  my 
memory  has  played  me  false.' 

«'  «  What  may  be?'  I  asked. 

*'  '  That  this  Yankee  Brown's  boon  companion  is 
John  Coxe's  son.'  To  my  inquiry  who  John  Coxe 
was,  he  replied  — 

**  '  A  bitter,  bitter  enemy  of  mine,  Helen  ;  a  man 
of  some  talent,  but  low-born,  and  possessing  little 
wealth ;  a  man  the  world  would  never  have  known 
had  he  not  allowed  himself  to  become  the  willing 
tool  of  the  Whig  party.  Twice  was.  he  elected  to 
the  Senate.  Not  a  Democrat  among  us,  however, 
but  was  conversant  with  the  frauds  practised  to 
secure  his  election ;  but,  my  daughter,  men  like 
your  father,  gentlemen  by  ancestral  rank,  and  pos- 
sessing all  the  advantages  which  wealth  and  intellect 
command,  step  back  from  the  strife  and  permit  high 
places  to  be  polluted  by  such  miscreants  as  the 
Whig  party  gives  birth  to,  rather  than  suffer  per- 
sonal contact,  or  the  altercation  which  must  follow, 


EYE-WITNESS.  63 

where  aristocratic  supremacy  is  assailed  by  plebeian 
animosity.  That  man's  assumption,  however,  cost 
him  his  life ;  he  fell,  pierced  to  the  heart  by  the 
assassin's  knife,  while  canvassing  the  State  for  a 
third  election.  A  young  man  of  that  name,  I  hear, 
has  lately  appeared  at  the  bar.~  If  he  is  a  son  of 
John  Coxe  —  (I  lost  all  knowledge  of  his  family 
some  years  ago)  —  and  proves  to  be  the  one  we 
seek ;  I  say,  if  he  is  Coxe's  son,  and  possesses 
but  a  shadow  of  the  dogged  obstinacy  which  charac- 
terized the  old  man  in  the  support  of  his  party,  — 
(a  party,  thank  God,  we  have  throttled),  —  yes, 
with  one  word,  that  in  him  Abe  Lincoln  has  a 
minion,  and  his  doom  is  sure!' 

**At  night  papa  came  again  to  my  room.  He 
and  his  men  had  been  to  Dr.  Brown's,  but  their 
search  there  was  fruitless.  I  needed  not  to  ask  of 
the  other,  for  his  look  confirmed  my  worst  fears. 
'  Not  caught,'  he  said  to  my  mute  appeal ;  '  but 
John  Coxe's  son,  he  is  ! ' 

**  'How  did  you  know  where  to  seek  him?'  I 
faltered. 

"  *  Jim  directed  us.  I  saw  the  mother;  when 
the  mob  surrounded  her  house  she  stepped  out  on 
the  veranda  ^  there,  white,  but  self-possessed  and 
dignified,  she  stood,  amid  the  execrations  of  my  baf- 
fled men.  To  their  demands  she  said  :  ''  God  gave, 
and  to  his  care  I  have  resigned  my  son."  "  Three 
days  ago  I  saw  him  leave  this  house  with  your  son 
George,"  was  shouted  from  the  crowd.  To  the 
threat  that  her  house  should  be  fired  if  she  persisted 
in  her  obstinate  silence  regarding  his  place  of  con- 
cealment, she  replied  :  ''  Fire  my  house,  rob  me  of 
all  I  have,  but  never  will  I  utter  one  word  which 


64  EYE-WITNESS. 

shall  betray  my  boy  into  the  hands  of  lawless  men  !  '* 
I  did  not  stay  to  see  the  threat  of  the  mob  executed. 
The  defeat,  which  I  had  twice  sustained  through 
John  Coxe's  agency,  Helen,  was  fully  cancelled  by 
the  sight  of  the  suffering  his  folly  had  entailed  upon 
his  family.  As  I  drove  up  Danforth  Street,  the 
flames  of  the  burning  buildings  lit  up  the  sky ;  and 
to  the  eager  ears  of  the  many,  who  leaned  from 
windows  and  balconies  to  question, —  the  reply,  *' A 
Yankee  conflagration  !  "  was  received  with  clapping 
of  hands  and  peals  of  laughter  ;  while  ' '  Good  !  give 
us  another  !  burn  them  all  out !  "  fell  from  coral  lips 
and  souls  loyal  and  devoted.' 

*'  That  night,  under  cover  of  darkness,  Kizzie 
sought  the  aflllcted  mother  and  found  her  and  the  lit- 
tle Winnie  in  a  tumble-down  negro  hut.  Not  a  friend, 
if  one  she  had,  not  a  neighbor  dared  aid  or  comfort ; 
nor  can  we  blame  them,  Maggie,  for  they  knew  that 
by  so  doing,  they  would  subject  themselves  to  like 
treatment.  The  basket,  which  Kizzie  had  filled  for 
her,  she  gratefully  took  ;  but  it  was  only  after  much 
entreaty,  that  she  would  consent  to  accept  the  sum 
the  purse  contained.  On  leaving,  she  handed  Kizzie 
a  slip  of  wrapping  paper,  on  which  was  written  : 
'  The  prayer  of  the  poor  and  afflicted  has  been  heard 
and  answered  ;  God  has  made  you  the  almoner  of  His 
giving.  No  enemy  can  stay  the  prayer  of  supplica- 
tion on  its  way  to  God ;  daily  shall  that  prayer  be 
offered  for  your  welfare,  that  strength  may  be  given 
you  to  do  His  bidding.  Your  maid  says  you  have 
no  name  to-night.  In  that  land,  where  all  ills  are 
forgotten,  I  shall  joyfully  meet  and  bless,  as  I  do 
now,  my  dear,  unknown  benefactress.' 

*  *  Days  went  by  and  nothing  was  heard  of  the 


EYE-WITNESS.  65 

runaways  ;  but  the  scene  of  this  morning  has  brought 
back  vividly  the  suffering  of  that  wretched  week.  I 
saw  the  prisoner,  Maggie,  and  prayed  from  my  in- 
most soul  that  it  might  be  Dr.  Brown.  But  when 
my  eye  fell  upon  the  boy  at  his  side,  I  knew  the 
doomed  one  was  Charles  Coxe  1 

*'  I  have  told  you  all.  Speak  now,  dear  cousin, 
and  teach  me  how  to  act,  that  I  may  best  reach  the 
standard  I  have  marked  out  for  myself." 

"  Helen,"  said  her  companion,  with  solemn  earn- 
estness ;  * '  imagine  yourself  in  the  situation  of  this 
mother,  sitting  by  the  bedside  of  a  son  just  snatched 
from  death's  grasp,  and  fearing  that  any  hour  may  be 
freighted  with  the  death  agony  of  another ;  then  tell 
me  how  you  would  feel  towards  one,  who  with  out- 
stretched hand  could  save,  yet  passed  by  on  the  other 
side?" 

*'  For  heaven's  sake,  Maggie,  do  not  appeal  to  my 
feelings,"  was  the  passionate  response.  *'  Duty,  stern 
duty,  must  be  uppermost  in  my  thoughts." 

*  <  Is  the  call  more  imperative  now  than  it  was  when 
you  besought  Dr.  Hall's  aid  to  assist  this  man  out  of 
the  State?"" 

''  I  was  sick  then,"  Helen  pleaded,  *'  and  allowed 
my  heart  to  pervert  my  judgment ;  I  have  not  now 
that  excuse  for  iniquitous  faltering,  when  the  path  of 
duty  lies  open  before  me." 

*'  Cannot  you  leave  the  sword  of  justice  in  the 
Great  Avenger's  hand  ?  " 

*'  But  my  vow.     I  may  not  falsify  my  oath." 

*'  If  it  conflicts  with  Christian  duty,  in  our  Father's 
sight,  it  is  better  broken  than  kept." 

*'Then,  Maggie,  tell  me  what  to  do!     I  go  to 
confront  this  man  to-morrow." 
6* 


GQ  EYE-AVITXESS. 

*'  Do  as  you  would,  if  your  brother,  not  Charles 
Coxe,  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  merciless  harpies," 
was  the  firm  rejoinder. 

**  But  we  must  not  forget  this  man  is  a  traitor,  and 
for  all  such  there  is  a  special  reckoning,  a  special 
doom,"  persisted  Helen. 

*'  Cousin  Helen,  is  it  for  us  to  pass  judgment  upon 
a  human  soul  ?  Are  you  or  I  accountable  for  any 
one's  sins  but  our  own?  Look  at  this  matter  calmly, 
search  your  heart  to  the  bottom,  then  ask  yourself  if 
you  dare  assume  the  responsibility  of  launching  an 
immortal  spirit  into  eternity." 

**  Still,  duty  is  omnipotent,  and  if  conscientiously 
discharged " 

*'  Hold  !  cousin.  Here  I  hold  out  Justice's  scales 
and  Mercy's  curtain.  Were  sentence  to  be  passed 
upon  you  to-morrow,  which  would  your  guilty,  trem- 
bling soul  crave  ?  " 

A  servant  at  this  moment  entered  and  announced 
the  carriage  for  Miss  Helen.  As  the  cousins  parted 
upon  the  steps,  Maggie  whispered  :  '*  Seek  the  throne 
of  grace,  lay  your  troubled  thoughts  there,  Nellie,  and 
to-morrow  your  heart,  purified  by  prayer,  shall  prompt 
your  words." 

*'Not  here,"  said  Harry,  drawing  Maggie  out  of 
the  night-dews  (for  at  the  sound  of  steps  upon  the 
walk,  she  had  left  the  house,  heedless  of  damp  and 
darkness,  to  relieve  her  intensely  anxious  thoughts,) 
and  seating  himself  by  her  side  on  a  bamboo  settee  in 
the  hall,  he  resumed  :  **  Yes,  there  is  one,  and  but  one 
hope  of  young  Coxe's  escape  from  being  lynched." 

*'  What  is  that?"  gasped  Maggie. 

*'The  seizure  of  the  babbler;  we've  men  on  his 
track ;  if  we  catch  him,  Coxe  is  safe." 


EYE-WITNESS.  67 

*  *  And  you  have  no  suspicion  who  lie  is  ?  " 

*'  There  are  a  dozen  rumors  afloat,  but  with  not  a 
shadow  of  reasonableness  in  them.  I'm  oif  as^ain  in 
a  half-hour  ;  let  him  cross  my  path  ! " 

*'  Harry,  I  can  save  you  and  your  friends  a  night's 
ride ;  for  I  know  that  the  prisoner's  fate  hangs  upon 
a  woman's  tongue." 

*'  Then  he'll  swing  !  "  burst  in  passionate  vehem- 
ence from  the  young  man's  lips.  '*  Women  have 
gone  mad  !  not  one  breathes,  but  gloats " 

*'  Hush  !  dear  Harry,"  said  Maggie,  laying  her 
hand  gently  upon  his  lips,  *' there  are  some  true 
women  left,  and  the  heart  of  his  accuser,  though 
warped  by  evil  surroundings,  is  not,  I  can  convmce 
you,  wholly  corrupt." 

**  Maggie,  you  are  the  exception  to  all  womankind  ; 
but  in  the  kindness  of  your  heart  you  allow  yourself 
to  be  most  egregiously  fooled.  Aside  from  yourself 
and  this  man's  mother,  there  is  not  a  woman  in  this 
city  but  would  cheer  on  the  fiends  in  their  hellish 
work  of  swinging  up  Union  men." 

"  Harry  I  never  heard  you  speak  so  passionately 
before;  wait  until  to-morrow,  and,  if  I  have  been 
fooled,  as  you  call  it,  I  will  turn  Sister  df  Charity  at 
once,  and  hide  my  simpleness  in  virtuous  deeds." 

*' There,  Maggie,  don't  be  vexed;  credulity,  in  a 
compound  sense,  shall  not  banish  you  from  my  heart 
or  sight,"  said  he,  affectionately  drawing  her  to  his 
side.  "  Tell  me  all  you  know,  and  make  me  believe, 
if  you  can,  in  a  secesh  woman's  clemency  ;  but  stay, 
I  will  first  tell  you  my  story.  Charles  Coxe  is  the 
name  of  the  young  man  so  villanously  used ;  his 
father  was  one  of  the  most  successful  lawyers  and 
politicians  in  your  State.     Among  the   Union  men 


QS  EYE-WITNESS. 

young  Coxe  has  many  friends,  and  some  one  of  them 
may  speak  in  his  behalf  to-morrow,  although  to  do  so 
is  to  bring  upon  himself  the  suspicion  of  loyalty  to 
the  Federal  Government." 

*'  Did  you  go  to  his  cell?"  asked  Maggie,  some- 
what impatiently. 

*'  Yes,  Mr.  Whedden  and  myself  were  smuggled 
in." 

*  *  I  feared  prison  doors  might  be  shut  too  fast  for 
even  you  to  undo." 

*'  Maggie,  I  never  saw  iron  yet,  which  would  not 
yield  to  gold." 

* '  And  you  saw  and  spoke  with  him  ?  Tell  me  all 
he  said." 

**He  told  us  frankly,  that,  had  it  not  been  for  an 
accident,  he  should  have  fled  the  State  at  least  two 
weeks  ago  ;  he  was  warned  he  was  suspected  of  being 
an  abolitionist,  and  left  a  sick-bed  for  a  hiding-place 
in  Black  Swamp.  His  brother  George  went  with 
him.  In  their  flight  they  came  up  with  a  negro  ;  of 
him  they  learned  that  two  days'  journey  would  bring 
them  to  a  *  jump  and  run,'  where  there  was  a  gum- 
tree  in  which  was  a  hollow  large  enough  to  hold 
them  both  until  pursuit  was  given  up.  They  were 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  spot,  when  the  baying  of 
hounds  told  them  their  tracks  were  scented.  There 
was  then  no  escape ;  they  told  the  negro  to  run ;  he, 
however  had  sheep-skin  on  his  feet  and  did  not  fear 
the  dogs,  and  stayed  by  until  he  had  armed  them  both 
with  cudgels.  Coxe  said,  the  sight  of  the  blood- 
hounds roused  the  strength  of  a  maniac  within  him  ; 
he  had  killed  two,  and  could  have  finished  the  pack 
had  not  a  shot  brought  him  down.  Before  he  could 
rise,  men  were  upon  him,  who  ironed  and  marched 


EYE-WITNESS.  69 

him  off.  He  said  he  did  not  suffer  physically,  but 
he  was  maddened  at  the  sight  of  the  treatment  visit- 
ed upon  his  brother. 

*  *  We  stayed  in  that  loathsome  cell  some  hours ; 
bound  up  his  wounds,  which  had  been  shamefully 
neglected,  and  left  him  much  comforted  and  with  some 
slight  assurance,  that  life,  and,  what  he  valued  far 
more,  liberty  might  yet  be  his." 

*'  You  told  him  his  mother  was  with  Georcre?" 
*'  Yes.  The  first  words  he  spoke,  when  the  prison 
doors  swung  to  behind  us,  were,  '  My  brother  ! '  He 
is  the  most  unselfish  person  I  ever  met  with.  When 
assured  of  his  brother's  ultimate  recovery  and  of  his 
mother's  being  with  him,  had  the  irons  been  struck 
from  his  wrists  and  his  prison  bars  unloosed  by  Abe 
Lincoln  himself,  he  could  hardly  have  been  more 
overjoyed.  Now,  Maggie,  tell  me  what  you  know 
of  his  accuser." 


CHAPTEE  Vin. 

A   tr>riOXIST   ON   TRIAL. 

July  7th  rose  clear  and  calm,  but  the  sun's  rays 
beat  down  scorchlngly  ;  and  although  "  Lazy  Law- 
rence" could  be  plainly  seen  in  the  dry,  parched 
atmosphere,  —  a  sign  for  all  but  workers  to  stay 
within  doors^  —  the  streets  were  thronged.  Fair- 
faced  women,  forgetful  of  tan  and  burn,  pressed 
hurriedly  on  under  umbrellas,  borne  by  Afric's  dark 
sons,  or  languidly  reclined  in  cushioned  carriages, 
fanned  by  spruce-looking  quadroon  maids,  as  perfect 
in  feature,  and  but  a  few  shades  darker,  than  their 
proud  mistresses;  while  lawyers,  forgetful  of  briefs, 
and  doctors  of  patients,  with  well-to-do  merchants, 
planters,  and  boys,  swelled  the  crowd,  thronging 
towards  the  Court  House.  The  doors  turn  slowly 
on  their  hinges  and  the  eager  press  surges  through, 
flooding  the  wide  entrance  and  filling  the  spacious 
hall  to  overflowing.  Seats  were  reserved  for  ladies, 
but  many  a  bold  look  and  undisguised  sneer  fell 
upon  the  dear  creatures,  wdio,  with  immense  efforts, 
were  trying  to  bring  within  prescribed  limits  fabu- 
lous folds  of  muslin  and  astonishingly  refractory 
hoops. 

"  Xo  place  for  women,"  growds  graybeard,  just 
bowed  out  of  a  chair  by  a  Miss  of  fourteen  summers. 


EYE-WITNESS.  71 

**  I  reckon  you  are  right,"  was  the  quick  rejoinder ; 
<'did  any  one  ever  see  the  like  of  this,  —  only  a 
three-legged,  crazy-back  chair  to  hold  me  for  two 
long  hours  !  " 

*'  You,  Molly,  take  care  !  another  such  a  sit  down 
and  we  shall  be  floored  ! "  cries  a  distressed  voice. 
Miss  Miffit,  white  with  apprehension,  had  been  watch- 
ing her  plump  neighbor,  who,  overcome  with  the 
compound  jostle  of  the  crowd,  dropped  with  two 
hundred  pounds'  weight  upon  the  creaking  bench. 
The  catastrophe  of  being  brought  to  the  floor  was 
for  the  time  averted,  much  to  the  relief  of  the  timo- 
rous few  who  occupied  the  same  tottering  support. 

We  will  turn  from  the  crowd  to  look  at  the  pris- 
oner. Disfigured  by  wounds,  pale  and  emaciated, 
but  fearless,  Charles  Coxe  stood  before  his  judges. 
He  had  broad  shoulders,  a  bold  heart,  and  a  loyal 
soul ;  to  die  for  liberty  was  indelibly  stamped  upon 
his  expressive  face.  From  him  we  will  glance  at  his 
accuser,  Helen  Bierce ;  for  it  was  her  name,  which, 
connected  with  the  man's  arrest,  had  filled  so  many 
seats  with  the  city's  fluttering  fair. 

At  the  question,  '*If  she  had  ever  seen  the  pris- 
oner, Charles  Coxe  ? "  she  raised  her  lustrous  black 
eyes  to  his  face.  Their  looks  met.  Calmly  she 
scanned  his  features ;  except  a  slight  twitching  of 
the  muscles  of  the  mouth  and  an  increased  pallor  of 
the  face  beneath  such  searching  scrutiny,  no  eraotion 
was  visible :  the  preserver  and  the  rescued,  the  suf- 
fering but  undaunted  victim,  the  high-born  aristo- 
cratic belle,  the  loyal  soul  and  traitor's  dupe,  alike 
the  gaze  of  the  crowd  stood  unmoved,  unread,  save 
by  the  eye  which  searcheth  all  hearts. 

Helen  turned  to  the  questioner ;  her  answer  was  a 
firm,  clear  ««No!" 


72  EYE-WITNESS. 

Down  came  the  hammer  In  the  hand  of  brief  au- 
thority to  command  silence,  for  a  disappointed  mob 
was  growing  unpleasantly  demonstrative.  In  the 
same  shrill  voice  came  the  question,  **  Do  you  know 
ausfht  of  this  Charles  Coxe  ?  " 

*'  Only  what  I  have  learned  since  his  arrest,"  was 
the  slow  reply. 

Mr.  Francis  Blerce,  one  of  the  number  before 
whose  tribunal  the  ''traitor"  was  arraigned,  then 
arose.  A  smile  broke  over  his  face,  so  self-satisfied 
and  bland  that,  as  it  met  the  ladies  upon  his  right, 
saddened  under  the  unfavorable  turn  Helen's  replies 
had  given  to  the  affair,  it  carried  full  assurance  with 
it. 

*'  My  daughter,  state  fully  what  befell  you  June 
18th." 

The  eager  earnestness  of  the  crowd  Increased  as 
Helen  related  what  she  had  previously  told  her  fa- 
ther ;  but  at  her  concluding  words  —  ' '  that  the  pris- 
oner In  your  midst  and  the  man  who  bore  me  to  that 
rendezvous  of  traitors  is  one  and  the  same,  you  have 
no  proof,  no  valid  testimony,  only  a  negro's  word,'* 
—  the  crowd  became  uproarious,  and,  for  a  time, 
resisted  all  attempts  to  be  quelled. 

Amid  the  din  Mr.  Blerce  stood,  frantically  beat- 
ing the  air  in  the  vain  endeavor  to  call  attention  to 
his  words.  Those  near  him  heard,  —  '*  The  rene- 
gade Yftnkee  Brown  has  escaped  -us  !  but  see  to  it 
that  no  more  of  the  vile  scum  slips  through  our  fin- 
gers !  Charles  Coxe  Is  a  Yankee  sympathizer,  my 
word  for  it !  Let  summary  punishment  be  visited 
upon  all  such  !  " 

With  the  cries,  «*  Up  with  him !  Swing  him 
high  1 "  violent  hands  were  laid  upon  the  prisoner ; 


EYE-WITNESS.  73 

but  a  powerful  man  near  dashed  the  ruffian  to  the 
floor,  with  the  cry,   *'  Hear,  hear  !  " 

That  any  man  should  imperil  his  life  by  speaking 
in  behalf  of  the  doomed  one,  awed  the  crowd ;  and 
in  their  tumultuous  eagerness  to  swell  the  list  of 
*'  Yanks"  to  swing,  the  greater  part  shouted,  "Who 
are  you  ?  Spout  ahead  Yankee  !  "  stifling  the  weaker 
cries,  ''String  them  both  up!  —  no  speeches,  no 
prayers  for  traitors  !  " 

' '  ^Yho  am  I  ? "  shouted  the  bold  man ;  "I  am 
Eichard  Whedden  of  South  Carolina,  brother  of 
your  General,  Arthur  Whedden." 

A  wild  burst  of  enthusiasm  greeted  this  avowal, 
for  the  name  of  Whedden  was  a  household  word. 
Men  forgot  the  diabolical  act  which  was  to  imbrue 
their  hands  in  a  brother's  blood ;  and  women,  un- 
mindful of  flies  and  gnats,  dropped  their  fans,  and 
gazed  admiringly  upon  the  towering  form,  that  had 
gained  the  estrade,  and,  proudly  erect,  stood  thereon. 

Curiosity  to  hear  one  who  claimed  the  name  of 
W^hedden,  his  noble  enthusiasm  and  bold  speech  at 
first,  kept  unbroken  silence. 

To  set  forth  the  iniquity  of  their  leaders,  custom 
had  taught  them  to  reverence,  who  declared,  when 
Northern  democracy  could  no  longer  be  made  avail- 
able by  the  South  for  the  control  of  the  Government, 
that  the  South  must  try  the  dissolution  of  that  Gov- 
ernment, and  the  diabolical  schemes  entered  into  to 
accomplish  the  same ;  to  explode  the  foul  bubble, 
that  the  North,  rather  than  give  up  the  benefits  of 
the  Union,  would  recall  her  armed  bands  and  unite 
with  the  South  under  such  a  constitution  as  slie  should 
prescribe  ;  to  portray  vividly  the  ruin,  which,  as  a 
desolating  spirit,  would  lay  waste  the  land  from  the 
7 


74  EYE-AVITXESS. 

Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  from  the  Lakes  to  the  Gulf, 
should  civil  war  be  fliirly. inaugurated  ;  to  compare 
the  immense  naval  and  land  forces  which  the  is'orth 
could  command,  to  their  own  limited  numbers,  crip- 
pled finances  and  lack  of  resource  ;  to  depict  the  deso- 
lation which  must  follow  the  tramp  of  reckless  sol- 
diers through  fields  ripe  for  the  sickle  and.  cotton- 
picker  ;  through  cities  flourishing,  and  those,  too, 
which  had  lost  their  bustle,  but  not  their  pride,  left 
to  be  sacked  and  burned,  while  old  men,  women,  and 
children,  fled  from  the  outrages  of  brutal  soldiers  to 
the  mountain  fastnesses,  or  buried  themselves  in  pes- 
tilent haunted  swamps,  was  the  subject-matter  of  his 
harangue. 

The  shaft  of  truth  sunk  deep ;  and,  when  the  im- 
passioned speaker  ceased,  its  effects  upon  that  homo- 
geneous throng,  where  all  the  elements  of  riot  were  so 
fully  developed,  far  exceeded  his  own  and  his  sup- 
porters' most  sanguine  expectations. 

True,  he  had  often  been  interrupted  by  the  mut- 
tering of  the  storm,  which  threatened,  but  which  was 
kept  under  by  the  many,  whose  better  natures  had 
been  aroused,  and  who  clamorously  shouted,  ''  More  ! 
more  !  "  With  the  glow  still  upon  his  face,  which 
warmed  his  heart,  that  his  words  had  not  been  utter- 
ed in  vain,  Richard  Whedden  once  more  arose,  and, 
after  a  powerful  appeal  to  their  feelings  in  behalf  of 
the  prisoner,  said,  *'  I  told  you  I  was  a  South  Caro- 
linian; my  ancestors  died  in  defence  of  that  soil. 
Once  I  was  proud  of  my  birthright ;  but,  if  to  be  a 
South  Carolinian  means  a  nullifier,  a  seceder,  a  trai- 
tor, an  insulter  of  the  proudest  flag  which  ever  swept 
the  ocean  wave,  or  floated  upon  liberty's  embattled 
heights,  I  renounce  my  State  now  and  forever  !  and, 


EYE- WITNESS.  75 

if  Go  J  wills,  I  will  be  the  first  to  quench  the  flame 
she  has  kindled  to  fire  the  South  !  If  to  be  a  Yankee 
sympathizer  means  a  lover  of  the  Union  and  of  tlie 
Constitution  (the  only  one  which  the  South  can  be. 
safe  under) ,  a  fearless  defender  of  Columbia's  flap:,  I 
glory  in  the  name,  and  will  die  in  defence  of  the 
honor  that  proud  title  awards  me  ! " 

"  Die,  then  ! "  shouted  a  voice  from  the  crowd. 

The  whistle  of  a  bullet  followed,  and  Richard 
Whedden  staggered,  but  was  caught  by  friendly 
arms. 

That  shot  was  the  keynote  of  the  voluntary  which 
followed,  Riot  of  the  fiercest  kind  prevailed;  shot 
fell  thick  and  fast,  and,  amid  oaths,  groans,  the  whis- 
tling of  bullets,  and  the  crashing  of  glass,  the  shrieks 
of  women  rose  wild  and  shrill.  More  and  more  des- 
perate grew  the  deadly  aflray.  Pistols  were  dropped, 
and  ' '  Down  with  Secesh  !  "  "  Death  to  the  Yan- 
kees ! "  hand  to  hand  the  rioters  eno^ao-ed.  Those  at 
the  windows  were  calling  loudly  for  aid,  when  a  crash, 
as  if  tlie  building  was  rent  in  twain,  fell  upon  the 
startled  combatants.  The  floor  had  yielded  to  the 
immense  pressure,  and  a  yawning  chasm  presented 
itself  to  the  horrified  vision  of  the  few,  who,  still  in 
imminent  peril,  clung  to  the  windows  and  broken 
beams.  The  platform,  and  that  part  of  the  Jiouse 
reserved  for  ladies,  escaped  the  fearful  crash,  which 
had  swept  Rebels  rampant.  Rebels  timorous,  fearless 
Union  men,  and  quasi  Union  men,  into  one  common 
pit,  where  death  in  hideous  guise  held  high  carnival. 
The  choking  dust,  which  filled  the  air,  the  piercing 
shrieks  of  women,  the  heavy  groans  from  the  suiFo- 
catlng,  struggling  mass  of  humanity  beneath  the 
fallen  floor,  the  pen  refuses  to  detail. 


76  EYE-WITNESS. 

Come  with  me,  reader,  to  the  scene  of  this  dire 
calamity  at  the  setting  of  the  sun  on  this  eventful 
day.  The  last  of  the  mangled  corpses,  alas  !  so 
crushed,  that  not  a  human  lineament  can  be  traced, 
is  being  drawn  from  the  debris  ;  and  a  night  of  bitter 
gloom  shrouds  the  city,  which  the  dawn  found  teem- 
ing with  exultant  life. 

Thus  the  programme  for  the  7th  of  July  read  : 
An  execution  was  to  come  off,  as  the  sun  wheeled 
into  the  zenith  ;  as  the  day  cooled,  a  military  pageant 
was  to  fill  the  streets  with  martial  strains  and  war- 
loving  people ;  and  with  night  was  anticipated  the 
presentation  of  a  flag  to  the  pet  regiment  of  the 
county.  But  the  curtain  fell  upon  muffled  drums, 
stricken  mourners,  and  open  graves  ! 

In  happy  contrast  with  the  wretchedness  which 
filled  so  many  households,  was  the  room  where 
mother,  sons,  and  little  sister  Winnie,  clasped  in 
each  others'  arms,  gave  God  thanks  for  this  sig- 
nal manifestation  of  the  protecting  love  he  has 
promised  to  the  widow  and  fatherless  ;  they  had  sorely 
felt  the  sorrow,  which  endureth  but  a  night ;  the  joy, 
which  Cometh  in  the  morning,  was  now  theirs. 

In  an  adjoining  room  lay  one  of  the  victims  of 
the  morning's  catastrophe.  With  heroic  endurance, 
Harry  Blout  suffered  the  mutilation  of  his  hand  to 
save  life,  and,  with  cheerful  fortitude,  bore  the  dis- 
secting knife.  Over  his  couch  Maggie,  with  tender, 
womanly  care,  bends;  and,  conquering  all  repug- 
nance to  the  sight  of  blood  and  quivering  muscle, 
so  inherent  in  a  woman's  nature,  unshrinkingly  holds 
the  filling  bowl,  and  dripping  instruments. 

Farther  on,  in  a  darkened  chamber,  lay  another. 
The  wound  had  been  probed,  the  ball  extracted,  and 


EYE-WITNESS.  77 

now  Elcharcl  Whedclen,  with  closed  eyes,  reviews  the 
scene  of  the  morning  and  his  miraculous  escape. 

In  crying  aloud  the  wrongs  impious  men  were 
practising  upon  the  masses,  untutored,  but  jealously 
tenacious  of  their  rights;  in  nerving  the  hearts  of 
these  plain,  artless  men  to  grasp  Liberty's  sword  and 
battle  for  her  truths,  he  "had  won  for  himself  the 
sweet  consciousness  of  having  done  his  duty,  and  the 
inexpressible  joy  which  Mercy  leaves  in  the  heart  she 
has  roused  to  overthrow  cruelty. 

Cato,  when  bending  over  the  prostrate  form  of  an 
idolized  son,  exclaimed,  *«  What  pity  is  it  one  can 
die  but  once  for  one's  country  !  "  Eichard  Whedden, 
stretched  upon  a  couch  of  pain  by  a  traitor's  hand, 
thanked  Heaven  that  he  had  been  counted  worthy  to 
suffer  for  his  country  ;  and,  God  willing,  with  health 
and  strength,  he  would  rise  a  firm  defender  of  truth 
and  justice  mid  scenes — 

"Where  stern  Oppression  lifts  her  iron  hand, 
And  restless  cruelty  usurps  command." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    SWA]MPS   A   EETEEAT   FOR   LOYALISTS. 

AYe  will  now  go  back  to  the  city  and  trace  events 
which  followed  the  trial  and  its  accompanying  calam- 
ity. Francis  Bierce  was  duly  informed  that  the  pris- 
oner had  either  made  good  his  escape,  or,  what  was 
more  probable,  was  among  those  so  fearfully  muti- 
lated as  not  to  be  recognized,  and  now  buried. 

The  next  question  was,  who,  and  where  were  the 
men  who  dared  draw  in  defence  of  **  tyranny  and 
Abe  Lincoln  ?  "  A  thorough  search  was  instituted  for 
the  '*  traitors,"  but  proved  unsuccessful. 

It  was  a  stubborn  fact,  and  one  generally  accredit- 
ed, that  scores  of  men  in  the  surrounding  country 
were  daily  leaving  their  customary  pursuits,  planta- 
tions, and  homes,  to  conceal  themselves  in  the  moun- 
tains;  and,  report  said,  preparing  to  take  the  field 
en  masse,  when  the  time  should  come  to  aid  the  Yan- 
kee invader ;  therefore  a  picked  guard  was  set  to 
watch,  with  unslumbering  vigilance,  every  avenue  of 
approach  to  these  fastnesses.  Days  went  by,  and,  as 
no  a]*rests  were  made,  the  watch  grew  daily  less 
wary. 

It  was  night,  and  the  sheep  on  the  hill-top,  no 
longer  caressed  by  the  flickering,  dancing  light   of 


EYE-WITxVESS.  79 

the  bivouac  fire,  looked  down  and  saw  Liberty  swing 
wide  the  vast  portal  of  her  mountain  ranges  and- lead 
on  braves  in  paths,  still  echoing  to  the  tread  of  those 
gone  on  before.  Not  a  bivouac  fire,  not  a  challenge, 
not  a  sentinel !  Xo  sound,  save  the  tramping  of  feet 
treason  could  not  shackle,  broke  the  stillness. 

To  cities  and  towns  came  the  astounding  news  of 
the  disappearance  of  the  guard  to  a  man  ! 

Where  were  they  !  Go  to  the  loyal  sons  of  Caro- 
lina, now  fighting  for  the  nation's  life,  — they  can  tell. 
Double  the  price  set  on  "  traitors'"  heads,  — double 
the  guard,  —  double  the  vigilance,  but  of  no  avail; 
for  Liberty,  with  her  shining  cohorts,  leads  on  the  van  ! 
while  treason's  minions  bivouac  in  vain  on  the  out- 
skirts of  her  retreat,  nor  dare  pierce  the  shadow 
which  she  leaves  behind. 

****** 

In  the  firm  belief  that  the  impending  blow,  which 
the  ' '  Grand  Northern  Army "  w^as  to  wield  at  Man- 
assas, would  effectually  wipe  out  the  Rebellion,  men, 
who  from  physical  inability  could  not  brave  the  moun- 
taineer's life,  tore  themselves  from  loving  arms,  and 
sought  the  secure  retreat  which  the  cypress  swamps 
afforded.  From  these  almost  impenetrable  morasses 
prodigious  trees  loom  up,  whose  limbs  are  covered 
with  a  grayish  moss,  several  feet  in  length,  and  in 
such  quantities  as  to  curtain  a  safe  abode  for  one  or 
more  runaways.  In  and  around,  the  rattlesnake,  and 
his  no  less  venomous  companions,  the  moccason, 
black-runner,  and  copper-head,  keep  guard,  signallino- 
intruding  footsteps  with  the  deadly  rattle  or  terri- 
fying hiss.  In  such  secure  haunts  Black  Dick  and 
Yellow  Dine  meet,  —  both  runaways  from  cruel  mas- 
ters or  brutal  overseers ;  each,  perhaps,  representa- 


80  EYE-WITNESS. 

tlves  of  different  counties,  but  each  alike  seeking 
refuge  from  the  ^Yhlte  man's  tyranny.  As  with  the 
entire  race,  with  few  exceptions,  courtship  and  the 
marriage  ceremony  are  abridged  to  the  simple  form- 
ula, **  be  my  woman.  Rose,"  *'  ask  massa,  Sam,"  so 
these  poor  souls  meet,  and,  resigning  all  former  ties, 
Dick  takes  unto  himself  a  new  wife.  Driven  from  the 
haunts  of  man  by  man's  unrestrained  violence,  nature 
takes  the  wanderers  into  her  lap  and  lavishly  spreads 
her  mosses  for  a  screen  by  day  and  a  couch  for  night. 
Birds  of  rare  plumage  and  rapturous  note  fill  the 
dim  woods  with  melody ;  while  fruits  and  luscious 
berries  hang  temptingly  near,  and,  falling  at  the  touch, 
fill  the  hungry  soul  with  nectarlan  juices.  No  mam- 
moth task,  no  stinted  rations,  no  lash,  no  bleeding 
back  and  groaning  pallet,  here  await  runaways,  but 
liberty  and  life,  free  and  joyous,  over  acres  of  soil  the 
traveller  fears  and  shuns  with  hurried  feet ;  and  the 
hunter  with  spurred  heel  urges  on  his  jaded  beast,  lest 
dark  night  should  find  him  wrapt  in  the  spectral- 
haunted  shadows,  which  steal  up  from  these  intermin- 
able wastes. 

It  was  a  fearful  hour,  for  a  tornado  swept  the  land. 
Houses  w^ere  unroofed,  fences  prostrated,  and  the 
tasseled  corn,  and  blooming  cotton-patch  laid  low. 
A  sturdy  oak,  which  had  braved  many  a  blow, 
mightier  than  this.  In  years  past,  yielded  to  the  blast, 
and  **  crashing,  thundering,  shook  the  ground." 

* '  God  be  praised  !  "  rose  simultaneously  from  many 
grateful  hearts ;  for  the  threatened  danger,  just 
escaped,  offered  a  temporary  retreat  for  the  pursued. 
The  unfrequented  road,  down  which  they  fled,  was 
now  rendered  impassable  by  the  fallen  tree  ;  for  It 
was  sheer  madness  for  their  pursuers  to  strike  out 


EYE-WITNESS.  81 

into  the  forest  which  bordered  the  road  on  either  side 
on  such  a  wild,  dark  night. 

A  score  of  men,  panting  with  the  fierce  excitement  of 
the  deadly  chase,  crept  beneath  the  boughs  of  the  pros- 
trate oak,  and,  in  mud  mid  leg-deep,  laid  down, —  and 
it  was  time  ;  for  a  lull  in  the  tempest  brought  to  their 
strained  ears  the  tramp  of  approaching  horsemen. 
Soon  a  body  of  men  appeared,  the  lightning  playing 
upon  their  weapons,  —  for  they  were  heavily  armed, 
—  making  their  faces  glare  out  horribly  beneath  their 
limp,  water-soaked  caps. 

The  barrier,  which  neither  man  nor  beast  could 
surmount,  was  met  wnth  a  volley  of  oaths.  '«  Halt !  " 
was  shouted,  as  others  came  dashing  up  ;  "  the  devils 
have  escaped  us  !  Back  to  the  fork  !  —  down  to  the 
left  ?     We  '11  have  them,  yet !  " 

The  savage  threat  which  silenced  one  or  two,  who 
declared  they  had  seen  objects  creeping  down  the  road 
after  passing  the  fork,  left  no  room  for  farther  sug- 
gestions or  aught  but  implicit  obedience.  The  hunters 
turned  upon  their  steps  and  sought  the  left  fork; 
they  found  it,  doubtless,  but  not  the  mud-soaked, 
exultant  creatures,  who  crawled  from  about  the  huge 
tree,  and,  with  mighty  strides  and  laughter-ringino- 
shouts,  defiant  of  storm  and  farther  pursuit,  pressed 
on  for  the  "  big  swamp." 

The  East  was  kindling  with  roseate  light,  when  our 
band  of  patriots,  with  hearts  swelling  with  gladness 
for  dangers  past  and  mercies  near,  reached  and 
plunged  into -the  thickest  part  of  the  welcome  morass. 
Sinking  into  the  soft,  spongy  soil,  springing  upon 
some  inviting  log,  to  jump  as  quickly  from  it,  as  the 
king-snake,  his  domain  being  so  rudely  assailed, 
crawls  out  therefrom,  and,  with  glistening  eye  and 


82  EYE-WITNESS. 

ajching  neck,  strikes  terror  into  the  hearts  of  the  in- 
truders,—  widely  they  scatter.  Pitching,  tumbling, 
floundering,  tied  up,  thrown  down  by  the  thick  hang- 
ing vines,  these  dauntless  ones  push  on  ;  for  succor  is 
nigh,  and  hope  warms  the  heart  and  makes  the  ills  of 
the  hour  the  subject  of  jest  and  hearty  good-humor. 

To  the  hunter,  to  the  naturalist,  whom  the  fox  or 
some  rare  species  of  bird  tempts  to  their  borders, 
these  swamps  seem  impenetrable.  "  No  human 
foot,"  say  they,  "  can  pierce  such  a  wilderness;  for 
if  once  entangled  in  the  matted  verdure,  which  often 
conceals  dark  pools,  extrication  is  impossible,  death 
sure."  But  dangers,  such  as  the  pleasure-seeker 
turns  shudderingly  from,  make  men,  hunted  and  de- 
nounced, bold  to  encounter,  and  fearless  to  brave 
every  ill,  than  to  suffer  a  crucifixion  of  the  soul. 

Suddenly  the  leader  stops  and  bends  low.  A  long, 
sweet  note  escapes  him,  which  is  answered  by  the 
shrill  piping  of  the  quail :  the  well-known  signal  is 
followed  by  rousing  cheers,  and  the  hanging  mosses 
of  a  cluster  of  trees,  but  a  few  rods  from  the  wan- 
derers, part,  and  disclose  the  retreat  of  the  vocifer- 
ous band,  which  leaps  forth,  —  and  fathers,  sons, 
friends,  neighbors,  alike  supporters  of  liberty  and 
union,  meet. 


CHAPTEE  X. 

PRESENTATION   OF   A   FLAG. 

Never  did  a  more  brilliant  throng  grace  Gaston 
Hall  than  on  this  night,  —  the  one  which  is  to  wit- 
ness the  presentation  of  the  flag,  and  which  unforeseen 
events  had  deferred.  Flags,  rich  in  satin  fold  and 
golden  tassel,  heavy  with  bars  (but  not  luminous, 
for  the  greater  part  are  starless),  festoon  the  walls, 
and  flowers  of  rich  color  and  ravishing  fragrance,  the 
triumphal  arches,  which  span  the  rostrum,  where 
soft  light,  perfumes  from  innumerable  wreaths,  and 
secesh  devices  of  costly  jewels,  bestow  a  charm, 
which  nought  save  the  presence  of  the  belle  of  the 
season,  the  presenter  of  the  flag  and  suite,  could 
enhance. 

Gaslight,  that  unsurpassed  beautifier,  shines  down 
upon  beauty  and  grace,  richly  attired  in  gossamer 
fabrics ;  on  aristocratic  general-ofiicers,  whose  gray 
uniforms  shine  with  the  badges  of  their  profession  ;  on 
privates,  glorying  in  the  braided  sleeve,  where  fair 
hands  have  wrought,  with  exquisite  skill,  the  letters 
of  the  cause  for  which  they  have  pledged  their  lives  ; 
and  upon  citizens,  very  happy  and  very  boastful  of 
coming  victories.  At  a  word  of  command,  the  crowd 
draws  back,  and,  araid  a  wild  burst  of  music,  the 


84  EYE-WITXESS. 

graceful  fluttering  of  handkerchiefs,  and  prolonged 
cheering,  the  gallant  7th  moves  down  the  hall  and 
forms  about  the  estrade.  All  eyes  turn  upon  the  dis- 
tant curtain,  which,  rising  from  the  lower  arch, 
discloses  a  bright  and  beautiful  vision. 

Amid  the  cloud-like  drapery,  which,  in  soft  undu- 
lations, wraps  the  willowy  forms  of  the  attending 
ton^  stands  the  tall,  dignified  Helen  Bierce,  severely, 
plainly  dressed  in  homesjmn  — 

"  With  no  bewitching  curls,  kissing  as  they  go 
Her  brow,  her  cheek,  her  bosom  of  snow." 

With  no  clear  drops  appending  to  the  ear,  no  brace- 
let, or  precious  pin,  but  clothed  in  a  cotton  frock  — 
the  work  of  her  own  hand  —  she,  the  cynosure  of  all 
eyes,  meets  the  unaffected  stare  of  the  crowd,  and, 
with  irresistible  appeal,  calls  the  eye-worship  of  the 
throng  to  her  face,  which  a  truly  earnest  soul  lights 
up  with  a  beauty  indescribable. 

As  the  regimental  flag  is  placed  in  her  hand,  and 
with  inimitable  grace  she  steps  forward  to  present  it, 
the  motive,  which  prompted  this  self-sacrificing  cour- 
age, bursts  upon  the  crowd,  and  vociferous  shouts  and 
overwhelming  clapping  followed.  *'  Col.  Blassing," 
she  said,  ''  to  you,  the  commander  of  this  regiment, 
our  hearts'  love,  to  be  our  State's  boast,  we  give  this 
flag ;  we,  who  have  made  it,  and  consecrated  it  to 
Liberty,  ask  of  you,  its  brave  defenders,  to  place  it 
upon  the  dome  of  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  where 
floats  the  flag  of  a  once  happy,  united  people,  now  a 
thing  despoiled  and  hateful  to  our  sight.  It  has  been 
said,  and  truly,  that  the  want  of  everything  is  fully 
made  up  by  the  spirit  of  the  cause,  and  the  soul 
within  stands  In  place    of  discipline,   organization, 


EYE-WITNESS.  85 

resource.  Such  is  the  spirit,  which  animates  every 
breast  in  our  young  Confederacy.  We  may  be  crip- 
pled and  impoverished  by  our  powerful  adversary ; 
but  we  cannot  be  conquered,  and  scorn  defeat !  Our 
noble  Beauregard  calls  you  for  the  great  struggle  at 
Manassas ;  we  bid  you  go  to  meet  a  foe  relentless, 
vindictive,  unscrupulous,  to  suffer,  to  die  for  your 
cause,  and  the  honor  of  your  mothers,  your  wives, 
your  sisters.  And  shall  we  be  unmindful  of  the 
price  of  blood  and  treasure  which  our  liberty  de- 
mands ?  No  !  the  duty  the  God  of  battles  enjoins 
upon  us,  shall  be  unflinchingly  met ;  our  jewels,  our 
once  valued  gems,  we  throw  into  the  common  treas- 
ury, and,  discarding  the  luxuries  of  which  you  are 
deprived,  clad  in  the  durable  work  of  our  own  hands, 
await  duty's  call  to  the  hospital,  or  amid  burning 
shot  and  shell  to  carry  the  cup  of  cold  water ;  and  if 
need  comes,  with  arms  in  our  hands,  to  fight  bravely 
by  the  side  of  fathers,  husbands,  brothers  ;  for  living 
we  will  be  victorious,  or  dying,  our  deaths  shall  be 
glorious." 

The  gay  and  dashing  Colonel  received  the  colors 
and  replied  gallantly,  handsomely  referring  to  the 
noble  example  the  presenter  had  that  night  set  for 
the  mothers  and  daughters  of  the  South.  In  con- 
clusion, he  said  :  **  This  banner,  dear  to  us  all,  shall 
by  our  blood  be  defended,  and,  God  willing,  not 
only  over  Washington,  but  over  every  foot  of  North- 
ern and  Southern  soil  shall  the  Bonny  Blue  Flag 
wave,  proclaiming  to  the  world  the  life,  the  unsul- 
lied honor,  the  mercy  and  sovereignty  of  our  glorious 
Confederacy." 

The  main  feature  of  the  evening  over,  gay  forms 
flitted  down  from  high  galleries,  and  with  braves, 
8 


S6  EYE-WITNESS. 

'*  SO  handsome  and  manly  to  view,"  sweep  the  floor 
in  the  mazy  round  of  the  dance.  Under  festooned 
arches,  in  shadowy  corners  forgotten  by  the  revel- 
lers, in  the  dhnly  lighted  robing-room,  low  earnest 
words  are  breathed.  The  lingering  pressure  of  the 
hand,  the  *' blush  of  consent,"  which  speaks  in  silent 
eloquence  to  the  heart  of  the  brave  pleader,  the  rap- 
turous embrace  which  the  morrow's  departure  sanc- 
tions, the  vows  of  eternal  love,  the  wild  pulse-beats 
of  hearts,  so  soon  to  burn,  to  expire  amid  the  fierce 
tumult  of  battle,  why  further  depict  ? 


CHAPTER  XI. 

A   MISTAKE    IN   A   TEOFESSION. 

Behold  us  once  more  in  Maggie  Bloufs  parlor. 
She  sits  waiting  Harry's  return  from  the  hall;  he 
enters  even  now,  and,  chiding  her  for  -her  grave 
looks,  draws  her  to  his  side. 

'*  And  you  will  go  with  the  regiment  to-morrow  ?" 
Maggie  asked,  struggling  to  keep  back  the  tears, 
which  formed  beneath  the  long  silken  lashes. 

"I  must." 

"But  you  are  incapacitated  for  the  field,"  she 
said,  gently  pressing  the  nlaimed  arm;  **  say  that 
you  will  not  go,  dear  Harry,"  she  pleaded. 

*«  Hear  what  I  have  to  tell  you,  dearest,  then  you 
will  cease  to  urge  me  to  remain  idle  at  home.  Of 
the  political  state  of  America  I  knew  little  before 
coming  here  ;  and  what  has  come  to  my  knowledge 
since,  without  the  seeking,  was  enough  to  convince 
me  it  was  for  my  interest  and  peace  of  mind  to  shun 
lukewarm  partisans  as  well  as  radicals.  Never  did  I 
for  a  moment  entertain  even  a  vague  surmise  that  the 
antagonism  of  the  rival  factions  of  North  and  South, 
though  so  fierce  and  bitter,  would  culminate  in  open 
rebellion ;  but  the  truth  that  it  would  do  so  was 
forced  home  to  me  some  months  since,  when  conced- 


88  EYE-WITNESS. 

ing  to  your  uncle's  request,  although  In  dh^ect  oppo- 
sition to  my  own  feelings,  I  entered  the  Court-house 
to  hear,  as  was  announced  for  the  evening,  an 
eminent  speaker  on  the  one  subject  of  the  hour  — 
'  The  despotic  influence  of  a  majority.'  What,  he 
said,  would  be  the  despotism  of  the  North,  should  the 
election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  be  secured ;  and  of  the 
long-continued  and  increasing  usurpations  of  those 
who  made,  and  as  unscrupulously  broke,  laws  of 
their  own  caprice,  tyrannizing  at  will  over  the  South, 
because  the  weaker  of  the  two,  could  be  summed  up 
in  these  few  words, — Do  as  I  hid^  if  you  would  live! 
The  man  before  us,  Maggie,  was  a  powerful  speaker, 
and  the  intensity  of  his  zeal  was  such  as  to  win  disci- 
ples to  any  creed  he  might  advance  ;  and  at  his  con- 
cluding words,  *  Let  the  South  band  themselves  toge- 
ther and  the  North  will  cease  to  be  the  masters  ;  cold, 
calculating,  mercenary,  unmilitary  as  they  are,  they 
will  find  themselves  powerless  to  coerce  and  resist 
us.'  I  felt  it  was  the  bounden  duty  of  the  South  to 
go  out  from  such  an  association,  peaceably,  if  she 
could,  forcibly,  if  she  must.  Under  this  fearful  de- 
lusion I  threw  into  the  treasury  what,  now  that  my 
eyes  are  no  longer  blinded,  made  ni}^  hands  red  —  red 
as  the  hands  of  those  who,  not  blindly,  there  cast  in 
with  me  ;  for  ignorance  is  no  excuse  for  my  mad  act." 

Harry  stopped,  and  for  several  moments  walked 
the  floor,  fuming  silently ;  then  throwing  himself 
again  upon  the  settee  by  Maggie's  side,  he  re- 
sumed :  — 

' '  The  morning  following  the  lecture,  I  met  Eichard 
"Whedden,  and  rode  with  him  to  his  house.  Before 
we  parted,  the  scales  one  by  one  fell  from  my  eyes, 
and  I  knew  I  had  been  fearfully  and  wholly  misled  : 


EYE-WITNESS.  §9 

that  not  ^*  right,"  but  »*  rule  or  rum,"  was  the  sliMo- 
Icth  on  every  lip  of  those  whose  cause  I  had  espoused. 
Would  to  God,  before  I  had  lifted  one  finger  to  aid 
these  robbers,  these  murderers,  my  lifeliad  been 
taken  !  Kow  my  life,  my  all,  is  pledged  to  atone 
tor  that  UTeparable  blunder." 

'«  Harry,  it  was  a  deplorable  mistake,  still,  much 
good  has  come  of  it ;  your  giving  so  generously,  has 
allayed  all  suspicion  of  your  real  sentiments,  and 
enabled  you  to  secure  the  retreat  of  scores  of  per- 
secuted men  from  the  State ;  beside  preserving  my 
house  from  the  intrusion  of  military  detectives.'^ 

''  That  much  I  have  done,  Maggie,  and  I  go  out 
to-morrow,  secure  in  the  confidence  of  the"  Rebels,  to 
strike  when  and  where  the  most  effective  blow  may 
fall."  -^ 

*' Strike /or  those  you  stand  arrayed  against?  that 
will  indeed  be  hazardous." 

**Yes,  with  all  the  power  Liberty  lends  to  man 
for  her  defence." 

"  But,  found  in  the  active  volunteer  service  of 
^orth  Carolina,  you  will  suffer." 

* '  ^0  matter  what  I  may  suflTer,  I  have  the  spirit 
to  brave  all  fate  may  have. in  store  for  me.  Say, 
have  you  forgotten  the  wild  life  I  led  when  a  boy?" 

*«  Iknow  your  courage  and  intrepidity,  but — " 

'*  But  what?     Say  on." 

'*  You  may  be  shot,  and  in  some  hospital  lano-uish 
uncared  for.  See  here,"  she  added,  rising  and  dra°win.T 
a  serge  garment  from  beneath  the  settee,  «'  you  say 
duty  calls  you  to  the  field;  as  imperative  a  one 
makes  me  join  the  corps  of  nurses,  which  leaves 
here  to-morrow  for  Manassas." 

*' Maggie!" 
8* 


90     .  EYE-WITXESS. 

^*  jS"ay,  Harry,  I  have  besought  you  to  stay  at 
•home  where  your  own  interest  and  others'  require 
your  presence,  but  you  must  go,  you  say ;  so  must  I. 
Do  not  look  so  grave,  nor  make  an  attempt  to  dis- 
suade me,  —  my  determination  cannot  be  changed." 

"  Have  you  counted  the  cost  of  such  self-sacri- 
fice?" Harry  said,  to  break  the  painful  pause  which 
followed  Maggie's  avowal. 

*'  Yes,  thrice  over.  The  agony  of  suspense  is  in- 
tolerable ;  the  labor  of  nursing  the  sick,  comforting  : 
it  is  for  you,  and  you  alone,  that  I  go  into  camp  or 
hospital  —  anywhere  to  serve  you  best." 

'*  Your  affection  for  me,  Maggie,  priceless  as  it  is, 
must  not  induce  you  to  neglect  higher  duties  at  home  ; 
next  to  you,  in  my  heart's  love,  comes  Richard  Whed- 
den.  To  serve  me  best  is  to  watch  over  him,  to 
conceal  him  from  the  villains  on  his  track." 

"  And  leave  you  to  the  neglect  of  hirelings,  if  sick 
or  wounded?" 

'^Neidier,  Maggie;  I  shall  come  back  to  thank 
you,  under  God's  mercy,  for  my  friend's  life." 

After  a  short,  but  painful  struggle,  the  promise 
*' to  stay"  was  given;  and,  to  interrupt  the  expres- 
sions of  gratified  afifection  which  followed,  Maggie 
said:  '*Enoiigli  of  ourselves,  dear  Harry.  Now  tell 
ine  of  your  two  special  charges,  Charles  Coxe  and 
Mr.  Whedden." 

*'  Charles  Coxe,  thank  Heaven,  has  made  good 
his  escape.  I  saw  the  negro,  who  acted  as  guide  to 
Coxe  and  his  men,  to-day.  Though  hotly  pursued, 
he  said  they  eluded  the  armed  gang  on  their  track, 
and  reached  the  swamp  in  safety." 

"This  is  indeed  good  news;  and  now  of  ]Mr. 
Whedden.    Is  not  the  search  for  him  given  over  yet  ?  " 


EYE-WITNESS.  .  91 

*'  No  :  and  I  fear  never  will  be.  He  is  safe  here 
for  the  present  only." 

*'  Has  his  property  been  confiscated?" 

*«  Yes  :  I  bought  what  he  valued  most,  and  left  it 
in  the  house." 

*'  His  horse,  what  became  of  that?" 

*'  I  take  him  with  me  to-morrow." 

*'Then  all  of  Blout's  Rifles  can  turn  cavalry  if 
they  choose  ?  "  said  Maggie,  archly. 

*'  Xo  indeed.  I  do  about  as  I  please.  The  horses 
which  you  saw  on  the  morning  of  the  hunt  were 
hired  for  the  occasion ;  if  I  mistake  not,  these  men 
will  see  the  time  when  they'll  wish  for  horses,  or 
winged  feet.  The  iN'orth  know  our  strength,  and  go 
doubly  armed  to  meet  us ;  the  fighting  will  be  no 
boy's  play,  Maggie  ;  for  on  the  issue  of  this  coming 
battle,  I  confidently  believe,  hangs  a  nation's  life  or 
death.  Xow  to  business,"  he  added  ;  *<  see  how  late 
the  night." 

At  this  moment  a  servant  entered,  and  handed  her 
mistress  a  note.  She  took  it,  and  at  Harry's  request, 
as  it  was  from  Plelen  Bierce,  read  it  aloud  :  — 

''  The  torture  of  the  evening  is  over,  the  arrange- 
ments for  the  morrow  complete,  and  I  am  weary  and 
sick  at  heart.  O  Maggie,  shall  I  ever  be  reconciled 
to  dear,  dear  Willie's  death  ?  Had  he  fallen  at  his 
post,  my  wicked,  rebellious  heart  would  check  its 
grief;  but  to  be  crushed,  to  be  suiiocated  is  awful ! 
1  cannot  stay  here  longer.  I  have  sold  my  nag,  my 
jewels,  my  wardrobe  —  all  I  own  —  and  leave  m  the 
early  train  for  Richmond.  My  life,  so  wretched,  shall 
be  spent  at  the  pallet  of  our  sick  soldiers.  Come  to 
me,  dear  cousin  ;  I  am  so  sad  to-night  —  the  last  in 
my  father's  house.     Discarded  from'his  love,  the  idol 


92  EYE-WITNESS. 

of  my  heart  buried,  with  no  one  to  kiss  me  good-by, 
I  go  wretched,  miloved,  alone  !  I  heard  your  cousin 
say,  as  he  passed  me  on  the  hall  steps  :  ' '  he  left 
with  his  regiment."  These  are  his  last  hours  with  you  ; 
therefore  do  not  hesitate  to  refuse  my  request,  if  in 
my  selfishness  I  ask  too  much.  If  you  do  not  come, 
write  me  one  loving  word.  To  be  forgotten  by  all  but 
you  is  my  earnest  wish.  Helen." 

The  silence  which  followed  the  reading  of  the  note, 
was  broken  by  Harry's  saying :  '  *  For  once  in  my 
life  I  must  acknoAvledge,  I  have  misjudged  a  woman. 
The  petted,  spoilt  child  of  fortune  passed  out  of  sight, 
when  Helen  Bierce,  in  defiance  of  her  fixther's  threat, 
said  *'  No,"  on  that  memorable  morning.  It  cost  her 
the  aflPection  of  a  fearfully  depraved  parent, —  but  for 
that  one  act  of  heroism  she  will  feel  fully  repaid, 
when  awakened  to  a  sincere  conviction  of  her  duty." 
Then  rising,  he  rang  for  the  carriage,  adding,  '<I 
can  spare  you  for  a  few  hours,  for  Miss  Helen  needs 
you.  Just  five  minutes  for  bonnet  and  shawl,  not  a 
moment  over,"  Maggie  heard,  as  the  door  closed  after 
her. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

FAMILY   HISTORY, 

The  world  said,  Mrs.  Tull  loved  her  riches  with 
the  fervor  of  adoration.  Born  heir  to  thousands  of 
acres,  and  as  many  negroes  to  till  them ;  taught 
from  infancy,  that  to  lack  money  was  to  lack  a  pass- 
port into  the  pleasant  places  of  God's  earth  ;  taught  al- 
so to  look  upon  poverty  as  a  crime,  a  scar,  and  its  sub- 
ject the  despicable  mark  of  the  world's  scorn  and 
reprobation,  she  consequently  had  no  use  for  any, 
save  the  well-to-do  in  the  world,  and  would  shun 
the  plea  of  the  suffering  poor,  as  she  would  the  vi- 
per's sting.  She  had  married  to  increase  her  wealth  ; 
and,  when  death  took  from  her  side  the  one  she  had 
vowed  to  love,  —  ay,  love  for  his  gold,  — no  grief  or 
bitter  reflection  pierced  her  unnatural  heart. 

The  ' '  diamond  widow  "  needed  no  long  wooing  ; 
the  richest  of  her  suitors  bore  away  the  prize  amid 
the  hearty  congratulations  of  friends,  —  and  Helen 
Bierce  had  a  new  mother. 

Within  a  year,  Helen  and  her  two  brothers  were 
sent  North  to  school.  Annually  their  father  visited 
them  ;  his  wife  never. 

Years  passed.  On  a  return  trip  from  New  York, 
the  proud  father  led  his  beautiful  daughter  to  her 
mother's  side,  thinking,  witless  man,  the  admiration 


94  ETE-WIT^'ESS. 

she  everywhere  elicited,  would  at  least  command  re- 
spect from  his  heartless  wife.  But  her  charms  so 
completely  eclipsed  the  mother's,  that  no  other  emo- 
tion but  intense  jealousy  was  aroused,  and  she  took 
no  pains  to  conceal  it. 

Helen  had  no  love  for  the  selfish  being,  who  had 
made  herself  and  her  brothers  aliens  from  home ; 
and,  but  for  her  father's  urgent^ entreaty,  would  have 
never  gone  back  to  a  roof,  once  hallowed  by  a  fond 
mother's  love,  now  overshadowed  by  the  sin  of  a  cor- 
rupt woman. 

Judicious  training  and  education  had  much  modi- 
fied Helen's  imperious  disposition ;  but  the  air  of  the 
North  could  not  cool  her  blood ;  and  it  w^as  with 
many  secret  misgivings  Mrs.  Winn — the  truly 
Christian  lady  to  w^hose  care  she  had  been  entrusted 
—  saw  her  young  and  gifted  charge  removed  from 
the  quiet  seclusion  of  her  owm  home,  and  gentle  but 
firm  restraint,  to  mingle  with  the  world. 

Helen's  return  to  her  father's  house  was  soon  fol- 
lowed by  that  of  her  brothers.  Kalph,  the  elder, 
was  a  cold,  stern  man.  Had  he  been  blessed  with  the, 
gentle  care  and  cherishing  love  of  the  mother  who 
bore  him,  instead  of  beinsj  left  to  the  ne<^lect  of  a 
mercenary  Northern  teacher,  he  would  doubtless  have 
been  other  than  we  have  to  portray  him. 

How  Helen's  heart  ached,  when,  the  first  fond 
ofreetinoj  over,  she  saw  the  chang^e  years  had  wrouGfht 
in  her  bold  but  generous-hearted  brother.  She  had 
felt  he  was  changed,  for  of  late  years  his  letters  had 
grown  strangely  cold  and  short.  She  should  see  him, 
she  thought,  then  all  would  be  explained.  Butw^ien 
they  met,  her  pleading  eyes,  her  tremulous  voice, 
were  passed  by  unnoticed ;  no  assuring  smile  to  ban- 


EYE-WITNESS.  95 

ish  forebodings,  no  loving  word  came,  only  the  chill- 
ing look,  which  silenced  every  inquiry  his  haughty 
reserve  excited. 

To  Willie,  Helen  turned,  and  in  that  fond  heart 
found  the  ever-ready  sympathy,  the  loving  response 
her  kindly  nature  craved.  Like  his  sister,  William 
Bierce  had  found  kind  friends  in  his  Northern  home, 
and  now  he  had  returned  to  his  native  State,  to  glad- 
den at  least  one  heart  there,  — his  sister  Helen's. 

Very  proud  was  the  father  of  his  boy,  who  had 
left  the  North,  rejoicing  in  the  high  honors  his  cadet- 
ship  at  West  Point  had  won  ;  but  his  mother  passed 
him  by  as  she  did  his  sister,  *' having  no  use  for 
such." 

* '  What  has  the  North  done  to  provoke  the  South  to 
secede,  do  you  ask,  boy  ?  "  said  i\Ir.  Bierce  to  his  son, 
who,  to  stop  the  storm  of  abuse,  which  was  daily  heaped 
upon  him  for  not  volunteering,  had  ventured  the  ques- 
tion. "What  has  the  North  done?"  he  repeated; 
*'  look  to  her  progressive  usurpations,  so  long,  so  un- 
complainingly borne  by  us.  What  are  they?  Why, 
enormous  tariifs,  unconstitutional,  oppressive,. unjust, 
which  fill  Northern  vaults  with  golden  ingots,  but 
beggar  the  South  ;  the  fishing  bounty,  which  we  pay, 
and  New  England  Yankees  reap ;  the  navigation 
laws,  which  carry  all  trade  to  Northern  marts,  com- 
pelling us  to  go  up  thither  to  be  swindled  and  jewed 
by  the  insane  cupidity  of  a  community,  which  has  no 
higher  aspiration  than  commercial  gain ;  and,  more 
than  all  this,  a  people,  who  trample  under  foot  the 
law,  which  requires  the  return  from  the  Free  States 
of  fugitive  slaves  to  their  masters ;  send  into  our 
midst  abolitionists,  '  demons  reared  in  the  blackest 
smoke  of  hell,'  to  incite  our  slaves  to  rise  and   mur- 


96  EYE-WITNESS. 

der  us,  our  wives,  and  little  ones,  with  the  promise 
of  our  lands,  if  the  butchery  is  thorough  and  clean  I 
This  is  whaX  the  North  is  doing  now,  and  has  been 
doing  for  years,  and  what  we  say  shall  no  longer  be 
done  !  We  have  lifted  our  voice,  but  of  no  avail,  — 
we  now  lift  our  hands,  —  let  the  North  beware  !  " 

**  And  it  is  such  as  you,  Francis  Bierce,"  cried  the 
young  man,  springing  to  his  feet,  as  the  door  closed 
after  the  elder  Bierce,  his  face  flushed  with  the  right- 
eous anger,  which  fired  his  words, —  "that  have 
swept  the  South  through,  kindling  the  incendiary 
fires  of  rebellion  by  such  mischievous  misrepresenta- 
tions and  falsehoods  !  It  is  such  as  \jo2i,  who,  with 
shotted  weapons,  dodged  Abe  Lincoln's  steps  from 
his  native  State  to  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  while 
your  minions  stood  at  their  guns,  waiting  the  electric 
word  to  peal  out,  to  thunder  through  the  land,  the 
monster  —  dead!  Ay,  and  it  is  such  as  you,  who, 
with  bloody  hearts  but  cleanly  hands,  left  Washington 
the  night  of  March  the  4th  —  defeated  !  but  loud  in 
your  boasts  that,  when  next  you  entered  there,  every 
building,  then  teeming  Avith  Northern  vandals, 
should  be  razed  to  the  ground  ! " 

Foolish,  foolish  William  Bierce  !  stay  thy  tongue, 
or  such  ebullitions  of  indignant  feeling  will  cost  thee 
thy  young  life.  Don  the  gray  livery,  as  hundreds  of 
others  have  done  to  save  themselves  from  abuse ; 
so  the  heart  is  bold  and  strong  in  the  right,  it  cannot 
contaminate.  Snap  thine  eyes  wrathfuUy  at  the 
braided  sleeve,  where  with  exquisite  skill  is  wrought 
C.  S.  A.,  which  thou  hast  promised  to  wear;  those 
who  know  thee,  know  the  wearing  of  it  is  no  conces- 
sion to  the  mandate  of  the  arch-traitor  Davis,  but  to 
the  persistent  entreaty  of  a  sister,  whose  idol  thou 


EYE-WITNESS.  97 

art ;  so  be  reconciled  to  the  traitor's  garb,  for  with 
such  armor  thou  canst  best  serve  thy  cause,  reheve 
the  suffering',  and  defeat  many  a  well-laid  scheme  of 
those  thou  dost  fraternize  with. 

A  month  later  sees  our  prediction  verified. 

Mr.  Bierce  had  fitted  out  a  privateer,  and  desired 
his  son  to  command  her.  This  he  resolutely  refused 
to  do  ;  but,  at  the  unceasing  solicitation  of  his  sister, 
he  finally  gave  his  consent  to  go  as  mate. 

The  *'  Pio:eon  "  sailed  mid  the  boomins:  of  cannon 
and  shouts  from  the  shore.  Long  after  the  crowd 
had  dispersed,  Helen  Bierce  walked  the  landing ;  she 
loved  the  sound  of  the  waves,  which  had  borne  her 
Willie  from  her  ;  softly  lapping  the  wharf,  where  she 
stood,  they  seemed  to  bear  away  with  them  to  the 
mighty  deep,  one  a  tear,  another  a  sorrow,  until  the 
weight  which  crushed  her  heart  was  gone.  With  a 
last  fond  look  turned  upon  the  vanishing  sails  of  the 
privateer,  these  words  escaped  her  :  — 

**Do  your  duty  fearlessly,  Willie;  I  have  done 
mine  in  urging  you  to  this  step,  — and  God  bless  us 
both." 

The  **  Pigeon  "  had  been  but  four  days  out,  when 
the  intrepid  mate  made  the  attempt  to  scuttle  her. 
«*  Better  that  all  should  perish,"  he  said,  '*  than  lend 
themselves  to  piratical  sins." 

The  attempt  proved  abortive.  One  night  an  alarm 
of  fire  rung  through  the  ship  ;  but,  by  the  unwearied 
exertions  of  desperate  men,  she  was  saved.  A  day 
later  the  pilot  was  missing,  and  the  ''  Pigeon"  struck 
firm  and  fast  on  the  bar  ;  but  again  the  Evil  One  lent 
a  helping  hand  and  set  her  afloat.  So  much  ill-luck  did 
attend  the  fated  ship,  the  desponding  crew  were 
about  to  set  sail  for  home  for  repairs,  when  the  cheer- 
9 


98  EYE-WITNESS. 

ing  cry  of  '*  Sail  ho  !  "  from  the  look-out,  roused  the 
crew's  failing  courage  and  fiendish  instincts. 

With  all  sail  set,  tlie  "  Pigeon  "bore  down  on  the 
-unarmed  craft  and  silenced  all  opposition  to  entering 
a  Southern  port,  by  the  show  of  formidable  guns. 
Another  white-winged  victim  fell  into  the  power  of 
that  piratical  crew,  and  the  **  Pigeon"  set  sail  home 
with  her  valuable  prizes. 

Since  the  disappearance  of  the  pilot,  so  vigilant 
was  the  watch  set,  that  young  Bierce  was  compelled 
to  abandon  further  attempts  to  bring  summary 
vengeance  upon  the  buccaneers. 

We  next  meet  this  brave,  loyal  soul  in  secesh  liv- 
ery, urging  home  a  besotted  companion ;  and  still 
again  in  the  crowded  Court-house,  mistake  those  who 
were  near,  heard  amid  the  fierce  tumult  of  that  morn- 
ing, his  shout,  —  "  The  Union  and  Abe  Lincoln  for- 
ever !  "  as  he  went  down  amid  the  struggling,  fight- 
ing mass,  which  sunk  beneath  the  broken  floor. 

When  his  manly  form  was  drawn  from  the  ruins, 
suffocation  had  done  its  work,  —  a  black  and  stiffened 
corpse  he  lay  ! 


CHAPTER  Xni. 

MOTHER    AND    DAUGHTER  —  MISTRESS   AND    SLAVE. 

In  her  boudoir,  Mrs.  Bierce,  just  returned  from  the 
gay  scene  at  Gaston  Hall,  reclines.  The  richness  of 
her  attire,  however,  lends  no  charm  to  her  haughty, 
disturbed  face. 

Vine,  a  spruce-looking  quadroon  chamber-maid, 
answers  her  violent  summons. 

**  Please,  Missis,  Miss  Helen  is  busy,  and  can't 
come." 

"  Go  back.  Vine,  you  nigger  !  and  tell  her  I  say. 
Come  directly." 

Mrs.  Bierce,  always  impatient  of  delay,  was  to- 
night more  irritable  than  usual ;  and,  as  Vine  still 
delayed,  she  sprung  to  the  bell-rope,  exclaiming : 
*' Hateful  niggers,  I  wish  the  North  had  every  one 
of  you  !  and  you.  Vine,  I  heard  you  whisper  to  Jane 
the  other  night,  *  it  wasn't  for  long  you'd  have  such 
a  cross  old  missis.'  PU  see  if  you  will  use  my  name 
again  in  that  way  :  these  Yankee  notions  I  shall  take 
upon  myself  to  whip  out  of  you."  Then  looking  at 
her  watch,  **you  shall  have  your  first  lesson  to- 
night, for  Francis  will  riot  be  at  home  for  two  hours 
yet ; "  and  again  she  attacked  the  bell. 

So  fierce  was  the  jerk,  the  heavy  tasselled  cord  flew 


100  EYE-WIT^'ESS. 

from  its  fastening,  and  struck  with  no  gentle  force 
upon  the  head  of  the  excited  lady,  driving  a  pin, 
which  held  her  massive  braids,  deep  into  her  flesh. 
The  pain  and  the  sight  of  blood,  which  trickled 
down  her  white  neck,  roused  all  the  passions  of  her 
turbulent  nature,  and  at  the  sound  of  approaching 
footsteps,  she  sprung  to  the  door,  exclaiming,  "  You 
shall  smart  for  this,  Vine  !  " 

After  the  duties  of  the  day  were  over.  Vine's  cus- 
tom was  to  steal  down  to  the  servants'  quarters  and 
relieve  herself  of  the  day's  budget  of  news. 

Once  she  had  been  hired  out,  and  during  that  time 
had  secretly  been  taught  to  read.  As  she  possessed 
a  remarkably  retentive  memory,  she  was  eagerly 
sought  after  by  the  servants  in  the  Square,  who  con- 
gregated at  nights  in  some  spacious  kitchen  or  un- 
occupied hut,  and  in  smothered  tones  talked  of  the 
Yankees  coming  to  set  them  free,  and  of  the  North- 
ern homes  made  ready  for  them.  This  night  the 
sable  group,  is  larger  than  usual ;  and,  as  Vine  still 
lino-ers  in  the  bioj  house,  and  the  thouQ;ht  is  forced 
home  that  she  may  not  come  at  all,  their  dark  faces 
grew  frightfully  ugly,  as  seen  in  the  flickering  light 
of  the  pine  knot  on  the  hearth.  From  the  look-out, 
near  the  barred  door,  the  girl  is  discerned  at  length 
tripping  down  the  steps ;  now  lost  in  the  shade  of 
the  elms,  to  emerge  into  the  broad  moonlight,  which 
silvers  the  brick  walk  her  swift  feet  scarcely  touch. 
The  door  cautiously  opens,  and,  with  low  exclamations 
of  delight,  their  oracle  seats  herself  in  their  midst. 

'«T',€re,"  she  cries,  '*  do  hear  Missis'  bell !  here, 
you,  Zip,  you  go  hold  the  clapper  till  I'se  through, 
and  here's  a  sixpence  for  you."  Then  turning  to  the 
group  —  *'  Missis  did  n't  mind  the  news  much  to-day, 


EYE-WITNESS.  101 

she's  so  full  of  her  own  self;  but  while  I'se  dressin' 
her  hair,  I  used  my  eyes  handy.     The  Yankees  is 
comm',  every  one  of  them,  to  kill  every  man  that's 
got  niggers ;  the  North  Is  fighting  for  the  nlo-rrerg 
and   nobody  else;    they  swear   they  can  whip°°tlie 
South  all  to  nothin',  and  we   shall  be  free  and  fine 
as  wlute  folks.     There  !  I  read  them  very  words,  and 
every  one  is  as  solemn  and  true  as  these  bio- bumps 
See  here  (stripping  up  her  sleeve) ,  this  is  what  I  gets 
tor  what  Missis  calls  laziness.     When  I  reads  the 
good  news,  I  forgets  my  fingers,  but  not  lono- ;  it 
takes  Missis  to  scatter  a  pretty  dream."  A  sympathet- 
ic groan  from  the  dusky  audience  has  the  desired  ef- 
fect, and  Vine  is  to-night  more  garrulous  than  ever ; 
and,   after  telling  all  she  knew,  and  a  great  deal 
which  was    only   conjecture,   she  finished,    savin o- : 
''And  Miss  Helen  won't  stay  here  no  longer.    I  saw 
Kizzie  packing  her  trunk,  and  she  told  n^e  she  was 
gomgaway  with- young  missis,  and  neither  of  them 
was    commg   back  no   more.       Poor   Miss   Helen  T 
Massa  William's  death  has  wellnigh  killed  her ;  old 
massa  ought  to  be  hanged  for  looking  so  cross  at  her 
as  he  does,  because  she  would  n't  swear  to  somethin' 
about  that  abolition  man.     Hark  !  if  there  is  n't  his 
call  now  for  Jim,  and  I  must  cut  for  missis'  room, 
(jrolly  !  what  a  tearing  rage  she's  in  !  but  who  cares 
tor  Missis  when  Massa's  here." 

With  a  merry  laugh  Vine  left  the  group,  and, 
spinning  the  promised  sixpence  at  the  head  of  Zip, 
who,  perched  upon  a  chair  in  the  long  hall,  was  with 
his  might  doing  her  bidding,  she  bounded  up  the 
broad  flight  of  stairs,  which  led  to  her  mistress' 
room,  with  the  fleetness  of  a  gazelle. 

To  return  to  JMrs.  Bierce,  whom  we  Ipft  in  no  en- 


102  EYE-WITNESS. 

viable  state  of  mind,  awaiting  her  maid's  reappear- 
ance. She  was  near  the  door  when  it  opened,  and 
her  daughter  entered.  **  So  you  've  come  at  last !  " 
she  screamed,  as  she  seized  Helen,  in  her  blind  fury, 
mistaking  her  for  Vine,  who  was  but  a  shade  darker, 
and  quite  as  fresh  looking;  *«  I'll  skin  you  alive  !  I 
will !  and  we'll  see  if  your  master  dares — " 

*«  Unhand  me,  woman  !  Are  you  mad,  that  you 
take  me  for  Vine  ?  " 

Helen's  voice  calmed  the  enraged  being  before 
her ;  she  quickly  dropped  her  arm,  and  staggered  to 
a  chair. 

"  I  thought  you  were  Vine,  Helen,"  she  said  at 
length.  *•  You  know  you  do  resemble  a  nigger  ;  oh 
my  poor  head  (by  way  of  covering  her  face  to  escape 
the  withering  look  which  was  cast  upon  her)  ''  why 
don't  you  hand  me  something  to  ease  it  ?  " 

Helen  did  not  move ;  very  white  and  calm  she 
stood,  tapping  the  floor  with  her  slippered  foot. 
Presently  she  said  :  — 

' « I  came  here  at  your  bidding ;  what  is  your 
wish?" 

"  I  sent  for  you  some  half  hour  since,  that  I  might 
be  the  bearer  of  the  good  tidings,  that  your  father 
^has  signified  his  consent  to  overlook  the  past,  and 
take  to  his  heart  his  Helen,  so  becomingly  dressed  in 
the  work  of  her  own  hands;  "  —  then  scanning  her 
closely  —  ''  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  well  stirred 
up  in  cotton  web,  is  truly  appropriate  mourning  for 
your  dear  Wilhe ;  but  no  matter,  so  long  as  the 
scantiness  of  material  finely  displays  the  contour  of 
so  voluptuous  a  form  ! "  and  a  light,  mocking  laugh 
followed  the  taunting  words.  But  words  and  laugh- 
ter fell  alike  unheeded  upon  the  silent  girl.     Thor- 


EYE-WITNESS.  103 

oughly  provoked  by  Helen's  passive  inclIfFerence,  her 
merciless  tormentor  then  hurled  her  bitter  venom  at 
the  only  vulnerable  spot  so  sinful  a  tongue  could 
reach,  —her  affection  for  her  deceased  brother. 

*'  Hold,  woman  !  "  she  cried,  tortured  beyond  all 
endurance.  '*  Speak  not  that  sacred  name  here.  I 
have  borne  insults  from  you  long  and  patiently  for  my 
father's  sake,  but  that  is  over  now ;  this  is  the  last 
night  we  spend  beneath  the  same  roof.  I  go,  and  you 
have  the  joy,  if  so  depraved  a  heart  can  experience 
such  an  emotion,  of  seeing  the  complete  consumma- 
tion of  all  your  projects ;  1  go  from  my  father's  roof, 
fully  resolved  never  to  enter  his  house  again,  while 
you  are  its  mistress." 

Not  caring  to  witness  the  triumphant  smile,  which 
she  knew  her  words  would  awaken,  Helen  turned^ 
from  the  room.  As  she  left  the  door,  Vine  entered" 
by  another  into  her  mistress'  presence,  and,  before 
Helen  could  reach  her  own  room,  a  sound,  which 
could  not  be  mistaken,  followed  by  a  heavy  fall, 
made  her  turn  quickly  upon  her  steps,  and  re-enter 
the  boudoir. 

At  the  same  moment  a  carriage  drove  up  to  the 
house,  and  a  gentleman  and  lady  alighted. 

*«  Helen,  dear  Helen,  look  up  !  Am  I  not  wel- 
come? " 

The  sweet,  soft  voice  of  Maggie  Blout  aroused  the 
suffering  girl ;  she  raised  her  colorless  face,  exclaim- 
ing :  "Maggie,  is  it  you?  Thank  God,  I  have 
some  one  near  to  ease  my  breaking  heart." 

The  approach  of  morn  had  awakened  Night's 
drowsy  sentinels,  and,  with  a  will,  they  were  cheerily 
lifting  the  curtains  of  the   eastern  chamber,  when 


104  EYE-WITNESS. 

Maggie  and  her  cousin  rode  away  from  Mr.  Bierce's 
dwelling. 

During  their  drive  home,  Harry  Blout  heard  from 
Maggie  the  fearful  scene  which,  a  few  hours  before, 
had  been  enacted  in  the  house  they  had  just  left. 

*'  ^Vas  the  girl  much  injured?  "  he  asked. 

*«  Yes  ;  but  Dr.  Hall  thinks,  with  proper  care,  she 
may  eventually  recover ;  she  is  to  be  removed  to  the 
hospital  to-day.  Helen  has  been  prevailed  upon  to 
remain  at  home ;  consequently,  uncle  Francis  and  his 
wife  leave  immediately  for  the  country ;  and,  as 
Vine  not  infrequently  attends  them  on  their  journeys, 
her  absence  will  not  be  remarked.  When  they 
return,  some  kind  of  a  story  will  be  gotten  up,  — 
either  that  she  was  too  saucy  to  keep  and  was  sold, 
or  she  sickened  and  died,  and  so  the  matter  will  drop. 
O  Harry,  what  greater  evil  could  be  visited  upon  man 
than  slavery?  It  is  truly  a  foe  to  religion,  a  de- 
spoiler  of  morality,  and,  as  we  have  proof,  almost 
daily,  makes  the  master,  be  he  man,  woman,  or 
child,  a  despot  of  the  highest  grade.  God  grant,  if 
this  war  must  be,  that  it  may  ultimately  and  com- 
pletely do  away  with  slavery." 

A  few  hours  later  and  Harry  was  gone  ;  but  Mag- 
gie still  lingered  at  the  wi;idow,  from  which  she  had 
leaned,  to  wave  a  last  adieu  as  the  cars  swept  by. 

*' I  shall  comeback,  Maggie,"  lingered  upon  the 
lips  of  the  one,  whose  dark  eye  moistened  as  he  re- 
turned the  loving  salute ;  and  Maggie  fell  his  last 
words  were  prophetic. 


CHAPTEE  XIV. 

ESCAPE   OF  MES.    WEASEL  —  FINDS   A  FRIEND. 

On  the  following  morning,  Maggie  was  awakened 

before  light  by  her  servant.     *«  Dare  was  a  woman 

down  stau's/'  she  said,  «<<lat  wants  to  see  missis." 

**  Who  can  she  be?"  exclaimed  the  startled  girl. 

**  She  did  n't  give  no  name,  missis ;  but  she  'pears 

awful  anxious  like." 

*'  Did  she  come  alone?" 

/'  No,  missis ;  she  has  a  boy  wid  her.  See,  bar's  a 
shp  o'  paper  for  you." 

^  Maggie  glanced  at  the  few  words,  then  said,  hur- 
riedly, **  Tell  the  good  lady  to  come  here  directly,  — 
but  stay  ;  who  admitted  these  strangers  ?  " 

"Me  let  'em  in ;  no  other  soul  don't  know  thev's 
har."  ^ 

**  I  am  so  glad,  aunty,  and  do  not  speak  of  this  to 
anyone." 

'*  Neber  you  fear,  Missis ;  old  Liz  is  as  black  as 
the  grave  and  as  hush,  too  ;  she  neber  tells  nobody's 
secrets  and  she'd  die  all  ober  'fore  she'd  tell  yer's." 

*'I  know  it,  aunty;  and  now  that  the  time  has 
come  for  great  caution,  your  wise  eyes  and  open  ears 
must  be  my  hedge.  Go  now  and  bring  the  lady  and 
boy  here ;  there  is  work  for  us  both,  and  we  must  be 
about  it." 


106  EYE-WITNESS. 

NotHng  pleased  the  old  servant  so  well,  as  to  be 
told  she  was  of  much  account  to  her  mistress ;  and 
the  thought  that  she  looked  to  her  to  fill  master 
Harry's  place,  sent  the  rheumatic  old  body  spinning 
down  the  broad  stair-case  as  if  youthfid  vigor  and 
not  infirm  old  age  turned  the  key  of  locomotion. 

Lizzie,  or  aunt  Lizzie,  as  Maggie  loved  to  call  her, 
was  ripe  in  years  and  good  works ;  she  had  been  a 
faithful  nurse  to  Maggie's  mother,  and  at  her  dying 
bedside  had  received  into  her  arms  her  infmt 
daughter.  * 'Promise  me,  Lizzie,"  said  the  sinking 
mother,  ''that  you  will  be  to  my  babe  what  you 
have  ever  been  to  me,  and  I  die  happy  ;"  the  mother 
heard  the  promise  given,  and  on  the  devoted  servant 
and  her  charge,  her  last,  fond  gaze  rested. 

A  mother's  love  and  servant's  fidelity  were  repaid 
by  the  strong  aflfection  Maggie  ever  manifested  for 
her  black  nurse ;  and  when,  after  her  father's  death, 
—she  told  Lizzie  she  was  to  be  free,  with  money 
enough  to  live  comfortably  on,  the  remainder  of  her 
days,  the  old  nurse  fell  on  her  knees  and  begged  her 
young  mistress  to  let  her  serve  her  always  ;  she  was 
rich  enough,  happy  enough,  she  said,  in  dear  missis's 
house,  where  she  had  promised  dead  missis  to  live  for 
her  babe  and  die  for  it,  if  the  Lord  willed. 

Maggie,  finding  all  remonstrance  vain,  finally  told 
her  she  should  never  leave  her ;  and  that  she  might 
take  the  money  she  had  reserved  for  her,  and  buy 
her  husband  if  she  could ;  and  so  old  Jake  was  free. 
He  hired  himself  out  in  the  city,  spending  his  Sundays 
with  his  wife  and  filling  his  heart  with  the  praises  of 
young  Missis,  which  Lizzie's  tongue  never  tired  to 
utter. 

*'  Should  violent  handsbe  laid  on  you  or  yours, 


EYE-WITNESS.  107 

Maggie,"  said  Harry,  on  leaving,  **  you  need  no  more 
doughty  champion  than  Aunt  Lizzie." 

*'And  Jake  ?"  said  Maggie,  *'  is  as  honest  as  Lizzie, 
for  all  I  know ;  he  certainly  possesses  a  fair  share  of 
her  sagacity,  and  the  fact  of  your  having  purchased 
his  freedom,  secures  you  a  powerful  ally  in  him ;  and 
be  sure  nothing  in  which  you  are  concerned  can 
transpire  in  the  city,  without  his  being  conversant 
with  and  publishing  it  here." 

But  to  return  to  Lizzie.  Not  long,  and  with  the 
lady  and  her  child,  she  reentered  hep  mistress'  room. 
Maggie's  charming  ease  of  manner,  and  the  kind 
sympathy  her  words  and  looks  evinced,  soon  drew 
from  the  stranger  the  cause  of  her  flight,  and  the 
imminent  danger,  which  threatened  her,  should  her 
steps  be  traced.  Calmly  Mrs.  Weasel  spoke  of  the 
atrocities  practised  upon  herself  and  family,  because 
her  husband  refused  to  volunteer,  as  well  as  all 
demands  to  equip  troops.  *'When  he  was  arrested," 
she  said,  "  because  of  his  Union  principles,  and  thrown 
into  jail,  I  could  not  murmur,  for  I  felt  he  was  safer 
in  prison  than  out  of  it.  With  my  children,  I  sought 
shelter  in  an  untenanted  house  of  my  husband's  ;  but 
my  persecutors  found  me  there,  and  made  my  life 
wretched  with  abuse ;  I  should  utterly  have  failed  in 
courage,  had  it  not  been  for  a  kind  stranger,  who 
heard  of  my  distress  and  visited  me.  Through  him  I 
heard  of  my  husband's  well-being,  and  of  the 
successful  flight  of  my  brother,  Dr.  Brown,  with 
his  family  from  the  State.  I  speak  of  this  noble 
young  man  to  you  freely,  for  I  know  he  is  your 
cousin." 

'*  Neither  are  you  unknown  to  me,"  said  Maggie  ; 
«*I  have  heard  Harry  speak  of  you  often;  and  now, 


108  EYE-WITNESS. 

that  he  is  no  longer  here  to  assist  you,  you  must  let 
me  be  your  friend  and  protector." 

**  He  told  me  to  come  to  you  in  my  extremity,"  — 
for  the  first  time  her  voice  trembled, — '*  I  little 
thought  it  would  be  so  soon." 

"  Don't  cry,  mamma,"  said  the  boy,  who,  with  his 
head  on  his  mother's  knee,  had  been  intently  listening 
to  what  she  had  related ;  *'I  will  tell  the  lady  all  the 
rest,  it  makes  you  cry  so." 

Masrofle  drew  the  little  fellow  to  her  side,  and, 
smoothing  his  bright  curls,  said:  *'Yes,  you  shall 
tell  me  what  has  happened ;  then  I  shall  know  how 
best  to  aid  you." 

With  childish  eagerness,  but  with  his  eyes  fixed 
upon  his  mother's  bowed  face,  he  said  :  "Mamma  told 
Cora,  that's  little  sis,  and  me,  that  when  Mr.  Blout's 
regiment  went  away,  we  should  come  to  town  to  see 
him  ofi";  Mr.  Blout  was  good  to  us,  good  almost  as 
papa,  and  a  great  deal  richer,  I  know." 

**  How  do  you  know  that?"  Maggie  asked. 

*'  He  gave  mamma  a  heap  of  money,  and  when  she 
would  n't  take  it,  he  gave  it  to  sis  and  me ;  it  was  a 
whole  hundred ;  papa  never  gave  us  more  than 
dollars,  sometimes  only  shillings.  Well,  sis  and  me 
were  up  before  mamma  waked,  and  were  in  the  city 
by  sunrise ;  we  promised,  faithfully,  we  would  keep 
out  of  the  streets  and  stay  hid,  just  where  I  knew  the 
cars  went  throuG:h.  I  knew  all  about  the  cars,  for  I 
went  with  papa  to  Raleigh  once.  We  had  been  hid 
a  long  time  when  we  heard  some  music ;  then  we 
knew  the  cars  were  coming.  We  were  covered  up 
by  some  alder-bushes,  but  we  saw  Mr.  Blout  lean 
from  the  car  window  and  wave  something  white ; 
Cora  jumped  up  and  threw  the  flowers  we  had  picked, 


EYE-WITNESS.  109 

at  him ;  he  saw  us,  laughed,  and  kissed  his  hand, 
then  the  train  was  gone. 

*'  Sis  cried  a  little,  but  I  told  her  papa  said  it 
was  n't  brave  to  cry,  and  she  hushed  ;  we  picked  honey- 
suckles awhile,  then  we  got  tired  and  fell  asleep. 
Sis'  crying  woke  me  up,  but  I  found  I  could  not 
move,  my  hands  and  feet  were  tied  with  vines.  A 
heap  of  boys  were  teasing  Cora,  pulling  her  hair, 
pinching  her  and  tearing  her  frock ;  they  were 
dreadful  mean  boys.  I  went  to  school  where  they  did 
once,  and  they  called  me  such  bad  names,  and  beat  me 
so,  papa  took  me  away,  and  said  I  should  go  to 
school  no  more,  until  these  bad  times  were  over. 
Papa  says,  I  am  a  strong  boy  for  one  of  my  age;  I 
know  I  was  pretty  strong  that  time,  for  I  snapped  the 
vines  almost  as  large  as  my  thumb,  and  got  at  my 
knife,  and  cut  them  from  my  feet.  I  had  my  pistol 
in  my  pocket,  — papa  gave  it  to  me,  and  taught  me 
how  to  shoot  too,  —  and  I  ran  up  to  Jack  White,  and 
told  him  I'd  shoot  him  if  he  kicked  sis  again.  He 
said  *'  he'd  kicked  her  three  times,  and  should  kick  the 
Yankee  brat  'till  she  was  dead."  Just  as  he  raised  his 
foot  I  put  up  my  pistol  and  shut  my  eyes  ;  after  the 
noise,  I  looked,  and  Jack  lay  on  the  ground  very  still." 

*'  Oh,  my  son,"  groaned  the  weeping  mother, 
*'  God  would  have  punished  him." 

"  He  did,  mamma  ;  when  I  shut  my  eyes,  I  asked 
him  to  aim  for  me,  and  the  shot  went  right  into 
Jack ;  the  boys  all  run  away  then,  and  I  went  up  to 
Jack  ;  I  was  glad  he  did  n't  move,  for  I  had  no  more 
shot  for  him  if  he  should  hurt  Cora  again.  She  was 
bleeding  awful,  and,  when  I  attempted  to  move  her, 
she  shivered  all  over.  I  saw  a  man  coming  up  the 
road  in  a  buggy ;  I  stopped  him,  and  asked  him  to 
10 


110  EYE-WITNESS. 

take  Sis  home,  she  was  so  sick.  He  got  down  and 
went  into  the  woods  a  little  way ;  Cora  had  stopped 
groaning  then,  and  never  did  anything,  when  he  put 
his  hand  on  her,  and  afterward  bound  up  her  head 
with  his  handkerchief.  AYhen  he  saw  Jack  White, 
he  stepped  up  to  where  he  lay  ;  he  said,  he  thought 
the  boy  was  dead,  and  asked  me  '  who  shot  him  ? '  I 
told  him,  <  he  kicked  Cora  until  she  fell  down,  and  said 
he  would  kill  her ;  then  I  shot  him.'  '  Served  him 
right,  the  scamp,'  he  said,  and  called  me  a  brave  boy  ; 
then  he  asked  me  whose  children  we  were,  and, 
when  I  told  him,  he  turned  quickly  to  his  horse 
saying,  *  Go  home,  and  tell  your  mother  all ;  Cora  la 
badly  hurt,  but  I  will  take  good  care  of  her,  and 
drive  round  after  night,  and  tell  her  how  she  Is.'  I 
ran  with  all  my  might,  but  had  n't  got  through  telling 
mamma,  when  we  saw  some  men  coming  down  the 
road  horseback ;  mamma  said,  they  were  coming  to 
the  house.  We  fastened  the  doors  and  windows,  and 
she  took  papa's  revolver,  and  I  my  pistol,  and  we 
waited  for  them ;  they  soon  came  up.  I  saw  Jack 
White's  father ;  he  jumped  down  first,  and  came  to 
the  door ;  they  all  tried  the  door,  and  swore  awful, 
because  mamma  would  not  open  for  them.  She 
told  them,  they  must  tell  her  what  they  came  for. 
They  talked  about  me,  and  said  they  had  come  to  get 
us  both.  Mamma  said,  she  should  fire  upon  the  first 
one  who  broke  Into  the  house.  But  they  did  n't  seem 
one  bit  afraid ;  I  reckon  they  did  n't  know  what  a 
revolv^er  she  had.  One  man  broke  throuq-h  the 
door,  just  where  we  were.  He  had  got  all  in  but 
one  leg,  when  mamma  fired,  but  It  did  n't  hit  him. 
I  heard  some  one  groan,  though,  outside  of  the 
door,  where  the  ball  went  through.     The  big  man 


EYE-WITNESS.  Ill 

was  in  then,  and  came  right  up  to  the  table,  on  which 
mamma  told  me  to  stand.  He  had  one  hand  on  her 
shoulder,  and  the  other,  which  held  his  revolver,  was 
raised.  I  struck  at  it  with  my  pistol,  and  the 
revolver  fell  to  the  floor.  As  the  man  reached  down 
for  it,  mamma  put  out  her  foot ;  it  went  off,  and  the 
man  rolled  over  on  to  the  floor.  Then  we  kept 
very  still,  to  see  what  the  men  on  the  outside  would 
do  next.  As  we  could  hear  nothing,  we  crept  to  the 
door,  and  I  heard  them  call  mamma  a  devil,  and  say 
the  house  was  full  of  them,  and  they  must  set  a 
guard  about  it,  and  send  off  to  the  city  for  more  men. 
They  shouted  for  Bill  White,  but  he  did  n't  answer, 
then  one  of  them  rode  away.  Two  only  were  left, 
one  was  on  the  verandah  and  the  other  in  the  garden 
behind  the  house.  Mamma  whispered  to  me  to  load 
my  pistol ;  that  she  was  going  to  get  out  of  the 
house  and  hide  in  the  woods  until  night ;  but  first,  she 
said,  she  must  frighten  the  guard  away.  She  went 
up  to  the  man  on  the  floor  and  took  the  revolver  out 
of  his  hand,  and  another  bigger  than  that  out  of  his 
belt.  She  fired  right  smart,  and  the  man  in  the 
garden  ran  as  she  said  he  would,  and  we  escaped 
from  the  house ;  crawled  through  the  ditch  in  the 
garden  and  reached  the  woods  unseen.  While  we 
were  hid,  I  fell  asleep ;  and  when  I  opened  my  eyes 
it  was  night.  Mamma  said  we  must  run  for  our 
lives,  and  we  did.  We  would  get  tired  and  sit  down, 
then  run  again.  Just  as  it  began  to  grow  light  we 
came  out  where  the  man  had  found  Cora ;  and,  in  a 
little  while,  we  came  to  your  big  house.  Mr.  Blout 
told  us,  if  we  came  here,  not  to  go  into  the  city,  any ; 
and  we  came  just  as  he  said." 


112  EYE-WITNESS. 

'«And  this  is  all?"  said  Maggie  with  a  deep  sigh, 
pressing  the  little  fellow  to  her  side. 

A  large  tear  on  the  boy's  hand,  made  him  look  up, 
and  the  sympathy  he  read  in  those  eyes,  tm-ned  so 
lovingly  upon  him,  made  him  bold  to  say,  "  Please 
ma'am,  may  the  black  woman  give  me  something  to 
eat?  I  had  no  dinner,  nor  no  supper,  all  yesterday." 

Lizzie  entered,  at  this  moment,  with  the  morn- 
ing's meal,  which  she  spread  temptingly  before  the 
wanderers.  Only  after  the  most  urgent  entreaty, 
was  Mrs.  Weasel  prevailed  upon  to  break  her  long 
fast;  while  Percy,  overcame  with  excitement  and 
fatigue,  fell  asleep  with  his  food  untasted  ;  one  hand 
holding  the  sweet  cake  his  hungry  stomach  craved, 
but  wliich  the  weary  mouth  refused  to  admit. 

There  Maggie  and  her  guest  sat  long  after  the  sun 
was  up,  the  one  comforting,  the  other  growing  strong 
with  the  bold  confidence  her  hostess  expressed,  rela- 
tive to  her  own  and  her  children's  safety  in  her 
house. 

The  mother's  heart  throbbed  once  more  with  hope, 
when  she  learned  there  were  many  in  the  city,  as 
true  to  the  Union  as  her  husband  and  herself.  '  *  The 
influence  of  wealth  and  position  now,"  said  Maggie, 
*«  Secures  them  from  sufferings,  such  as  you  have 
experienced,  but  let  success  crown  another  raid  of 
the  Eebels  and  all,  who  refuse  to  take  up  arms  in 
d^efence  of  Southern  rights,  will  be  condemned  as 
traitors,  and  treated  as  such.  But,  dear  Mrs.  Wea- 
sel, have  no  solicitude  for  your  safety,  so  long  as  I 
have  a  house  and  the  power  to  protect  you  ;  if  the 
time  should  come,  which  sees  me  deprived  of  them 
here,  we  will  seek  protection  and  a  home  elsewhere; 


EYE-WITNESS.  113 

and,  rest  assured,  your  little  girl  has  fallen  into  kind 
hands ;  I  have  trusty  servants,  whom  shortly  I  will 
despatch  for  information  of  her." 

Looking  from  the  window  as  she  spoke,  she  added 
joyfully,  <' here  comes  our  old  family  physician!  a 
better  friend  and  counseller  you  could  not  have ;  I 
must  speak  to  him  in  your  behalf  directly."  And 
she  left  the  room. 

10* 


CHAPTER  XV. 

DE.    HALL   AXD   HIS   PATIENT. 

DPt.  Hall  was  a  man  whom  every  one  knew  and 
honored,  but  no  one  feared.  Secesh,  respected  hhn 
for  his  weahh  and  unbounded  influence,  and  he 
duped' them  :  Union  men,  denounced,  penniless  wan- 
derers, sought  him  and  were  fed  from  his  table,  sup- 
plied with  his  gold,  and  by  his  keen  sagacity  helped 
out- of  the  State ;  while  forsaken  wives  and  fatherless 
children  blessed  the  good  Samaritan,  who,  all  un- 
known, kept  the  heart  warm  with  shining  messengers, 
which  fed,  housed,  and  clothed  them. 

On  issuing  from  the  sick-room  he  met  Maggie. 
*'  I've  seen  your  patient,"  he  said,  "  and  find 
you  've  minded  me  to  the  letter ;  he's  twenty  per 
cent  better  than  his  case  promised  yesterday  ;  "  then 
bending  down  to  her  ear  he  whispered,  "  its  well 
he's  mending;  I'm  mistaken,  or  another  dawn  finds 
him  out  of  these  snug  quarters  ;  I  tell  you  they  are 
again  on  his  track,   fiercer  than   ever  !   one   of  the 

d rascals   told    me,  this   morning,  the  Yankee 

"Whedden  wasn't  in  town,  and  this  day's  work  was 
to  scour  the  suburbs  !  that's  what  brought  me  here ; 
say,  now,  are  you  ready  for  them  ?  " 


EYE-WITNESS.  115 

<<Does  Mr.  Whedden  know  of  his  situation?" 
asked  Maggie,  with  quickened  breath. 

**  Yes,  I  found  him  strong  enough  for  the  whole 
dose  ;  he  swallowed  it  like  a  martyr  ;  come  !  come  ! 
no  more  time  talking;  get  up  your  fixings  for  a 
tramp." 

*'  I  must  speak  with  you,  doctor,"  persisted  Mag- 
gie. 

**  Can't  hear,  can't  hear,  time  is  too  precious  to 
listen  to  a  woman's  rattle,"  and  putting  his  hands  to 
his  ears,  Dr.  Hall  began  to  ascend  the  stairs  leading 
to  the  attic. 

**  But  you  must  hear,  doctor,"  and  the  resolute 
girl  laid  a  firm,  detaining  hand  upon  his  shoulder. 

Dr.  Hall  turned,  and  reading  the  determination 
in  her  face,  gave  a  low  whistle ;  then  patting  her 
flushed  cheek,  said:  *'  Blaze  away  !  Maggie,  I  pity 
your  sweetheart  when  you  get  up  such  a  look  as 
this." 

*  *  Have  you  heard  of  a  Mr.  White's  being  shot  ?  " 
Maggie  asked,  in  a  sharp,  quick  voice. 

"Bless  your  heart,  girl!  don't  let  that  trouble 
you  ;  that's  an  old  story  :  it  happened  at  least  twelve 
hours  ago,  and  not  worth  a  fig  compared  to  the 
work  which  we  have  on  ha;id." 

* '  Will  you  tell  me  the  particulars  ?  " 

*'Hang  me,  if  I  don't  think  you  are  demented! 
Ain't  my  hands  full  and  my  neck  bare  for  a  swing,  if 
any  of  my  irons  should  burn  ?  " 

But  Maggie  was  decided ;  so,  after  grumbling  a 
moment  about  woman's  stlck-to-a-tiveness,  he  re- 
sumed — 

' '  Jack  White  —  not  a  worse  boy  In  town  —  was 
shot  yesterday  in  the  woods  beyond  here,  by  a  boy, 


116  EYE-WITNESS. 

for  beating  his  sister.  Bill  White,  the  boy's  father, 
and  a  posse  of  men  went  to  this  boy's  house  —  mind 
you,  his  father,  Mr.  Weasel,  was  shot  last  week  at 
Salisbury,  for  trying  to  break  jail ;  —  he  was  a  brave 
man!  I  knew  him,  —  oh!  I'm  sorry,  sorry  for  his 
family  !  Well,  as  I  was  saying,  they  beset  the  house, 
but  the  woman  was  ready  for  them.  She  was  shrewd 
enough  to  get  assistance  before  she  was  attacked.  I 
saw  one  of  the  party  after  the  aifair ;  he  said  the 
shot  fell  thick  as  hail ;  one  thing  is  certain,  the  men 
were  driven  off;  and  while  waiting  for  reinforce- 
ments from  the  city  to  renew  the  attack,  they  lost 
their  game ;  for  the  posse  in  the  house  made  good 
their  escape.  When  the  house  was  broken  open, 
White  w^as  found  mortally  wounded,  and  one  of  liis 
accomplices  not  much  better  off  in  a  room  adjoining 
the  one  where  White  lay.  They  fired  the  house,  and 
then  set  up  such  a  hue  and  cry  for  this  same  woman 
and  her  allies,  that  if  the  Almighty  has  n't  taken  them 
under  His  mantle,  they'll  be  caught,  sure,  and — " 

'*  What?  doctor." 

'«  Murdered,  of  course  ;  I  declare  for  it,"  he  said, 
musingly,  ' '  she  was  a  brave  one  ;  I  could  fight  for 
such  a  woman  with  a  will." 

''What  would  you  do  if  she  sought  your  pro- 
tection?" 

«'  Do  !  by  St.  Paul,  I  wish  she  had  !  What  would 
I  do?  why  arm  her  to  the  teeth,  and  bid  her  kill  the 
monsters,  who  have  slain  her  husband  and  burned 
her  house  to  the  ground  !  There,  there.  Miss  curi- 
osity, I've  told  my  story,  and  see  what  a  heat  you've 
got  me  into ;  can't  aflford  to  let  my  energy  work  off 
in  this  way,  when  I've  such  a  job  on  my  hands,  as 
this  Whedden ;    but  let  me  get  him  in  a  place  of 


EYE-WITNESS.  117 

safety,  and  if  that  Mrs.  "VYeasel  escapes  the  dog.s 
to-day,  I'll  find  and  help  her  out  of  the  State, — let 
me  alone  for  that !  " 

*'But  this  same  woman  demands  your  aid  now, 
doctor;  to-morrow  it  will  be  too  late." 

'*  Who?  what?  this  same  woman!  where  is  she! 
not  in  this  house  ?"  exclaimed  the  excited  man, 
grasping  Maggie  by  the  arm. 

*'Yes,  she  is  in  this  house;  she  wandered  all 
night  in  the  Avoods  with  her  boy,  and  reached  here 
before  sunrise." 

Dr.  Hall  dropped  the  arm,  which  he  had  grasped, 
and  with  his  thumbs  in  the  arm-sizes  of  his  waistcoat, 
gave  expression  to  his  dumb-foundedness  in  *  <  shucks" 
vociferously  uttered.  Recovering  from  his  surprise, 
and  rubbing  his  hands,  he  cried  — 

*'  Glad  of  it !  glad  of  it !  I'll  father  that  woman 
and  her  young  ones ;  just  the  right  kind  of  material 
to  spill  one's  blood  for  !  —  a  life  for  a  life.  I'm  in 
for  that  now  !  " 

**  Shall  we  come  to  that  to-day?  doctor." 

**  Chicken-hearted  already!"  he  said,  drawing 
Maggie  down  to  his  side,  *<  Mrs.  Weasel  must  put 
some  of  her  fire  into  you." 

'*  She  has  been  under  fire,  remember  that,  doctor; 
give  me  a  fair  trial  before  you  attach  cowardice  to 
me." 

'*  So  I  will,  so  I  will ;  but  we  shan't  fight  to-day, 
though  w^e  are  coming  to  it,  fast." 

On  the  stairs  the  two  sat,  and  in  low  earnest 
tones,  laid  their  plans  to  outwit  the  murderers  on  the 
track  of  the  afflicted  ones,  who  demanded  their 
counsel  and  protection,  and  whose  safety  as  nearly 
concerned  them  as  their  own.     What  those   plans 


118  EYE-WITNESS. 

were,  they  were  successfully  carried  out,  we  must 
believe,  or  Maggie  could  not  have  entered  her  parlor, 
filled  with  armed  men,  as  calmly  as  she  did,  a  few 
hours  after  her  consultation  with  Dr.  Hall.  The 
leader  of  the  band  of  detectives,  who  thus  assailed 
her  house,  was  Ralph  Bierce.  His  cold,  searching 
gaze  was  returned  with  haughty  surprise  by  Maggie, 
who,  declining  the  proffered  chair,  said  — 

"  Cousin  Ralph,  is  it  thus  you  enter  my  house, 
after  so  many  long  years  of  absence  ?  " 

*'  Duty,  Margaret,  is  peremptory,  not discretionaiy  ; 
in  times  like  these,  when  traitors  lurk  in  every  house, 
the  courtesies  of  life  must  be  waived,  the  utmost 
rigor  instituted  to  bring  oifenders  under  the  law." 

*'  And  do  you,  and  your  armed  friends,  look  to  a 
defenceless  woman's  house  as  a  rendezvous  for  such  ?  " 
asked  Maggie. 

*'It  was  reported,  that  Richard  Whedden  was 
among  the  number  crushed  to  death  the  morning  of 
the  trial ;  but  information  has  been  received,  that  he 
still  lives ;  to  seek  him,  we  are  here,  as  it  is  quite 
natural  to  suppose  that  he  has  friends  in  neighbors 
so  contiguous  to  his  former  residence." 

*  *  You  have  the  right  to  draw  such  conclusions  as 
you  please,"  Maggie  rephed,  coldly,  '*  but  those  who 
knew  auo'ht  of  Mr.  Whedden,  knew  that  he  led  the 
Hfe  of  a  recluse." 

*'  You  have  more  knowledge  of  him,  I  see,  than 
we,"  Ralph  said,  looking  fixedly  at  her,  **  and  we 
now  propose  to  pursue  our  search  here." 

*«  Ralph,  if  my  father  were  living,  I  should  not  be 
subjected  to  such  an  insult ;  his  good  name  should 
spare  his  daughter  the  indignity  of  being  treated  as 
an  abettor  of  sin  in  any  guise." 


EYE-WITNESS.  119 

*<  It  is  not  to  offer  personal  affront,  but  to  satisfy 
the  people,  that  we  search  here." 

"I  understand,  perfectly,  the  popular  voice 
sanctions  the  outrage  of  even  our  most  sacred  rights. 
Unprotected  women,  like  myself,  have  no  power  to 
resist  an  armed  force ;  but  I  do  insist,  that  what  you 
do  here  you  do  quickly  ;  my  servant  will  take  the  keys 
anci  open  the  house  for  your  inspection,  with  the 
exception  of  my  own  chamber, — that,  no  strange 
foot  shall  enter." 

The  dignified,  determined  manner  of  the  lady  of 
the  house  checked  any  expression  of  opposition,  which 
her  words  might  have  aroused ;  as  she  left  the  room, 
Ralph  Bierce  turned  to  his  men  saying  — 

**  Miss  Blout  is  above  suspicion  ;  to  save  a  scene, 
we  will  allow  her  the  undisturbed  seclusion  of  her  own 
room." 

And  the  search  began  ;  up  stairs,  down  stairs  ;  from 
the  crannies  in  the  attic  to  the  coal-hole  in  the 
ba^ment  was  heard  the  tread  of  heavy  feet. 
Stables,  barns,  orchard,  grove  and  garden,  were 
swept  clean  by  busy,  sin-blinded  eyes,  but  nothing 
came  of  it ;  and  the  watchers  in  the  room  frontins:  the 
street  saw  the  heated,  foiled  band  move  off  towards 
the  city. 

'*  Why  does  n't  Ralph  go  ?  "  said  Maggie,  in  a  low 
voice  to  an  elderly  lady,  who  knelt  by  her  side  at  the 
window ;  *  *  he  certainly  can  expect  no  civilities  from 
me." 

At  a  low  tap  at  the  door,  Maggie  rose  and  drew 
the  bolt.  Lizzie  entered ;  this  is  the  substance  of 
her  story :  — 

*  *  The  man  with  black  whiskers  had  followed  her 
from  the  roof  to  the  dog-kennel,  from  the  parlor  to 


120  EYE-WITNESS. 

the  servants' quarters,  opening  closets,  stripping  beds, 
and  overturning  couches  until  '  nothin '  'taint  as 
't  was ;  but,"  said  Lizzie,  shaking  with  suppressed 
laughter,  *'  Massa  Harry '11  match  'em  for't,  when  he 
comes  back." 

««  Go  on,  what  then?"  said  Maggie,  impatiently. 
^'  Dey  jest  questioned  me  and  Jake  all  to  pieces,  but 
we  did  n't  know  nothin'." 

«'  Jake,  here?    to-day,"  asked  Maggie. 

<'  Yes,  missis,  he  followed  de  men  har." 

<'Well,  what  did  you  do  after  the  men  left, 
Lizzie?" 

*'  I  stole  out  to  whar  de  sick  man  lay,  and  found 
him  as  comfortable  like,  as  if  he  had  n't  no  enemy  in 
de  world  ;  and  de  little  boy  neber  looked  handsomer, 
den  I  saw  him  dar,  playing  wid  two  owlets,  he'd 
found  in  de  nest  ober  his  head." 

«' Thank  heaven!  they  are  safe  as  yet,"  said 
Maggie. 

Her  companion  made  no  remark,  but  behind  her 
glasses  great  tears  gathered,  but  were  not  allowed  to 
fall.  Brave,  suffering  mother,  only  trust,  and  the 
sorrows  and  pangs  of  earth's  night  shall  be  ex- 
changed for  the  eternal  day,  and  the  crown,  which 
even  now  ang'4  hands  are  twining  for  the  faithful, 
that  endure  unto  ihe  end. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

A  STOEH  AND  ITS  EFFECTS. 

The  hall-bell  sounded ;  Lizzie  answered  the 
summons,  and  returned  saying,  *' Massa  Bierce 
wanted  missis." 

* '  Insufferable  !  monstrous !  is  he  not  satisfied 
with  searching  my  house  !  go  back,  Lizzie,  and  tell 
Ralph  Bierce,  your  mistress  will  receive,  through  her 
servant,  any  message  he  has  to  deliver ;  but  stay,  I 
know  Ralph's  nature  so  well,  my  refusing  to  see  him 
will  only  delay  his  departure.  I  will  go  this  once," 
she  said  rising,  **  and  mind,  Lizzie,  open  this  door 
to  no  one  but  your  mistress.     Ann  will  attend  me." 

On  descending,  she  met  Ralph  in  the  hall ;  he  was 
coldly  polite,  as  before ;  but  it  required  a  masterly 
control  of  her  feelings  to  retain  the  haughty  in- 
difference she  assumed,  while  listening  to  his  account 
of  the  fruitless  search,  when  she  heard  him  declare, 
with  perfect  nonchalance,  his  determination  to  take 
up  his  abode  in  her  spacious  house.  *«  The  situa- 
tion," he  said,  <'  was  the  most  desirable  the  country 
round  for  himself  and  men  ;  it  afforded  greater  facil- 
ities for  perfecting  their  plans,  than  any  other,  which 
could  be  found." 

Maggie  knew  that  his  gaze  was  upon  her ;  that  he 
was  trying  to  read  her  very  soul,  and,  with  almost  su- 
perhuman effort,  she  checked  every  expression,  in  word 
11 


122  EYE-WITNESS. 

or  look,  which  might  betray  her  trepidation  and 
intense  indignation.  "  Pier  house  to  be  made  a  den 
of  robbers!"  she  thought,  —  "her  presence  to  be 
polhited  by  the  leader  of  a  gang  of  men  tainted  with 
treason,  whose  souls  crime  had  darkened  until  they 
were  blacker  than  the  smoke  of  the  homes  their 
hands  had  fired  !  I  cannot  suffer  this  outrage,"  and 
she  remembered  the  promise  she  had  made  Harry. 
<<  Vengeance  is  mine," —  "  I  will  be  a  father  to  the 
fatherless,"  came  to  her  throbbing  heart ;  her  hand 
dropped  to  her  side,  and  she  grew  calm  and  firm ; 
raising  her  eyes  to  Ralph's  face,  she  said  — 

* '  This  house  Is  dear  to  me  ;  It  Is  sanctified  by  my 
parents'  lives  ;  dying  they  bequeathed  it  to  me  ;  before 
it  shall  become  the  rendezvous  of  lawless  men,  I  will 
lay  it  in  ashes,  and  go  with  my  servants  into  the 
woods ;  and  upon  you,  Ralph  Bierce,  shall  rest  the 
vengeance  of  a  God,  whose  protecting  care  is  the 
orphan's." 

*'  Cousin  Margaret,  you  mistake  my  meaning;  It 
is  my  intention  to  be  here  certain  hours  of  the  day, 
and  the  nights,  of  course ;  there  are  buildings  near, 
for  my  men  :  and  I  can  promise  you,  no  depredations 
shall  be  perpetrated  by  them ;  on  the  contrary,  they 
will  be  very  efficient  aid  in  protecting  your  property 
from  the  predatory  excursions  of  runaways,  who 
infest  the  woods  below."  Then,  speaking  more 
deliberately,  —  "I  should  certainly  regret  seeing 
this  fine  house  in  ruins,  but  should  not  hesitate  to 
raze  it  to  the  ground  myself,  should  it  prove  an 
asylum  for  traitors,  such  as  Richard  Whedden  or  the 
murderer  of  Bill  White." 

*«  And  do  you,  who  have  shot  down  unarmed  men 
in  the  street,  and  followed  up  your  persecutions  with 


EYE-WITNESS.  123 

fire  and  Insults  the  cruelest,  come  with  unwashen 
hands  to  my  door  and  cry  aloud  for  more  victims  !  If 
my  house  were  an  asylum  for  such,  think  you 
I  would  give  them  up?  Never!  I  would  fight  for 
them,  with  them,  until  these  rooms  flowed  with  our 
blood." 

'*  See  to  It,  Margaret,  that  you  hold  your  house 
free  from  proscribed  heads  ;  and  keep  such  sentiments 
to^  yourself,   or  your  life  will  answer  for  it,"  Ralph 
said  ;  and  he  turned  upon  his  heel  and  left  the  house. 
**  Oh  1  if  Harry  were  only  here  !  "  sighed  Maggie, 
as  she  ascended  the  stairs.     ' '  Ralph  looked  straiTady 
at  me  ;  can  it  be  that  his  penetrating  eyes  read  my 
Inmost    thoughts  !  how  strange  he  should  have  men- 
tioned this  White  afluiir,  —  he  will  come  back  !  —  oh  ! 
what    will    become    of    us  ? "    and    she   rested  her 
aching  head  upon   the  balustrade,  as  if  her  resolute 
spirit  fainted  within  her.     Suddenly  she  thought,  '<  I 
have  Dr.  Hall  to  consult,  why  need  I  fear  ?  "  a°nd  with 
a  bounding  step  she  gained  her  chamber  door.     On 
being  admitted,  with  forced  gayety  she  exclaimed  — 
"All  right  as  yet,  dear  Mrs.  Fay,  (the  name,  cap, 
spectacles,  and   dress    assumed,   making  the  hunted 
mother  a  nice-looking   elderly  lady,)  —  come    now 
and  help  me  to  uncage  my  bird." 

The  two  approaching  the  dressing-room,  tapped 
gently,  and,  at  grufif  tones  of  v\^elcome,  entered,  to 
find  Dr.  Hall  well  armed,  and  complacently  whilino- 
away  the  tedium  of  solitary  confinement  with  hi's 
meerschaum. 

While  Maggie  related  the  events  of  the  past  two 
hours,  he  nodded  most  approvingly;  but  when  she 
repeated  the  conversation  held  with  Ralph,  he  burst 
in:  «*  Who  in  the plays  us  false  ?  there's  a  spy 


124  EYE-WITNESS. 

among  us !  call  up  the  niggers !  let  me  catcli  the 
culprit,  and  111  skin  him  alive  I 

"  Pomp,  Lizzie,  and  Ann  are  all  I  have  here  now, 
and  they  are  as  true  as  steel,"  Maggie  said. 

''  There's  mischief  in  one  of  them,  call  them  up  ! 
I  say,  call  them  up  !  But  what 's  this  ?  "  raising  the 
curtain,  "  rain,  by  my  soul !  Look  here,  a  storm 
is  on  us  !  —  to  the  swamp  !  all  hands  of  you  !  he 's  a 
dead  man  if  he  gets  a  soaking." 

Too  late  !  the  storm  was  already  upon  them,  for 
when  they  reached  the  hall  door  the  rain  fell  in  tor- 
rents. 

« '  Stay  here  !  "  cried  the  doctor  to  the  hesitating 
group;  **  when  I  want  you,  I  will  signal  from  the 
tree  ;  the  storm  is  a  mad  one,  but  it  will  soon  spend 
itself."  Then  wrapping  his  rubber  cape  about  him, 
he  sprung  with  flying  leaps  towards  the  garden. 
They  saw  him  reach  the  grove  beyond,  then  the 
blinding  rain  shut  him  from  view. 

The  blankets  were  folded  and  laid  ready  for  use  ; 
the  servants  bidden  to  keep  strict  watch  for  signals 
from  the  swamp,  and  then  Maggie,  placing  tlie  arm 
of  her  friend  within  her  own,  drew  her  gently  into 
the  hall,  saying  — 

* '  Let  us  be  patient ;  such  a  storm  cannot  last 
long ;  brave  little  Percy  can  weather  it,  I  know." 

*'  Not  of  my  child,  but  of  the  sick  man  I  am 
thinking,"  was  the  rejoinder;  *'it  would  be  dreadful 
to  have  him  prostrated  by  fever  again ;  and  he  is  so 
exposed." 

*'  Only  until  Dr.  Hall  reaches  there,"  said  Maggie, 
cheerfully,  *'his  rubber  cape  can  quite  cover  the 
nest,  and  keep  them  all  as  dry  as  bob-o-link's  nest- 
lings under  his  feathery  coat.     We  will  sit  here,  and 


EYE-WITNESS.  125 

while  we  are  watching  the  storm,  I  will  tell  you  what 
a  nice  nest  that  is,  and  what  two  old  birds  own  it. 
Beyond  the  grove  is  the  swamp,  which  separates  Mr! 
Whedden's  grounds  from  these.  Once  Cousin  Harry, 
while  hunting,  quite  lost  himself  in  that  almost  im- 
penetrable growth  of  reeds  and  underbrush,  and 
only  after  severe  labor,  succeeded  in  reaching  a  cleared 
place.  There  an  immense  sweet  gum-tree^  towered, 
and  by  Its  side  was  a  pine.  Some  twenty  feet  from 
the^  ground  these  trees  locked  trunks,  and  minoled 
their  boughs,  forming  a  hollow  capable  of  holdino- 
two  persons  comfortably.  Harry  has  had  a  path 
cleared  through  the  swamp  so  circuitously,  I  would 
defy  any  one,  without  a  pilot,  to  find  It.  In  our 
nest,  (Harry  and  I  claim  it,)  that  is  in  the  bosom  of 
the  sweet  gum  and  pine.  Pomp  laid  Mr.  Whedden ; 
and  there,  too,  is  Percy,  who.  Pomp  said,  laughed 
at  our  vme  ladder  and  climbed  the  pine  like  a^at. 
But  see,"  she  added,  rising,  *'  the  clouds  are  liftlnir*. 
we  shall  soon  see  signs  from  the  exiles  ;  "  and  the  two 
stepped  out  on  the  veranda. 

True,  the  rain  was  falling  slowly,  and  bright 
patches  of  blue  were  seen  overhead  ;  but  the  black 
clouds  piling  in  the  south,  which  they  did  not  see, 
foretokened  a  storm  fiercer  than  the  one  just  passino- 
away.  ° 

There  were  no  signals;  and  by  night  a  tempest 
raged.  Objects,  within  the  house  and  without,  were 
whitened  by  the  blinding  hght ;  while  thunder^claps, 
the  ragmg  wind,  and  sounding  rain  held  each  heart 
hushed  and  awed. 

''  Every  room,  which  faces  the  swamp,  is  brllhantly 
lighted  ;  they  shall  see  that  we  are  thinking  of  them," 
whispered  Maggie,  as  she  turned  from  th?  door  and 
11* 


126  EYE-WITNESS. 

bent  over  the  chair  in  which  Mrs.  Fay  sat,  with  her 
head  bowed  upon  her  hands. 

A  flash,  followed  by  a  startling  clap,  told  those 
fear-smitten  hearts  that  something  near  the  house  had 
been  struck. 

<«  On  the  lawn  !  missis,"  cried  Lizzie,  and  Maggie 
followed  her  servant  to  the  hall  door. 

Up  shot  the  fierce  flames  about  a  grand  old  oak 
not  fifty  yards  from  the  house. 

''That  shot  was  a  fair  one,"  growled  the  storm- 
king  to  his  swarming  hosts,  whose  pantii?g  breath 
tossed  golden  streamers  and  banners  of  dazzling 
lio-ht  aloft;  *' one  more  charge  and  the  revel  is 
done."  Another  thunderbolt  smote  near,  and  a  light 
beyond  the  grove  drew  the  household  to  the  east 
veranda. 

Red,  bright,  and  fierce  rose  the  rioting  flames, 
seeming  to  lick  the  thunderous  concave  overhead. 

' '  The  sweet  gum  !  "  groaned  Maggie,  and  she 
turned  in  speechless  agony  to  the  mother. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  PATIENT  AND  BOY  SAVED. 

''  Not  so  near !  not  so  near  I  missis,  call  your 
boy  !  "  ''  Percy  !  dear  Percy  !  where  are  you? "  but 
no  answer  came  ;  the  flames  crackled  and  roared,  and 
the  cry  was  lost. 

*'  Dey  are  in  de  canes,  no  signs  of  dem  har." 

Yes,  for  the  mother's  eye  has  caught  something ; 
she  darts  amid  a  shower  of  blazing  sticks,  and 
springs  back  unharmed.  A  small  singed  cap  she 
presses  to  her  lips,  while  tears  pour  down  her  cheeks. 
"See,  a  paper!"  she  cries,  and  she  unpins  the 
scorched  scrap  from  within  the  cap. 

''  Vie  are  safe;  come  to  the ,"  she  reads, 

then  a  fierce  gust  whirls  the  paper  from  her  trem- 
bling hand  ;  it  is  drawn  towards  the  flames  ;  again 
the  fearless  woman  springs  upon  the  burning  fagots, 
but  reaches  her  arms  in  vain.  *'  It  is  gone  !  "  she 
cries,  as  all  ablaze  it  was  whirled  aloft,  and  fell, 
senseless. 

An  hour  before  midnight  two  men  appear  ap- 
proaching the  house,  bearing  a  third ;  Lizzie  and 
Ann  follow,  carrying  a  happy  smiling  mother,  who 
holds  her  boy  by  the  hand.  Though  her  limbs  are 
badly  blistered,  she  heeds  them  not ;  for  her  heart  is 
overflowing  with  joy,  that  the  lost  are  found.     She 


128  EYE-WITNESS. 

smiles  bravely  as  the  doctor  dresses  the  fierce  burns, 
and,  when  on  leaving,  he  takes  her  hand  and  calls 
her  a  brave  v»'oman,  a  tear  is  on  his  cheek.  "  A 
cold  in  head,"  he  mutters,  and  dashes  his  hand  across 
his  face. 

Ah  !  no.  Not  a  cold  in  the  head,  kind  soul,  for 
that  was  pity's  tear,  which  so  noble  a  heart  as  yours, 
Dr.  Felix  Hall,  need  not  be  ashamed  to  own. 

"  Now,  Maggie,"  he  said,  when  the  two  stood  on 
the  steps  out  in  the  night,  *'  I  shall  call  in  during  the 
day  to  pay  my  respects  to  your  cousin  Ralph.  I 
have  sounded  Pomp  and  the  women,  they  are  all 
right ;  but  there  is  a  wolf  somewhere ;  mind  you 
keep  your  eyes  open,  and  we  '11  track  him  before 
another  day  is  gone." 

'*  Ralph,  doctor,"  sighed  Maggie,  *'  do  you  think 
he  will  be  here  to-morrow  ?  " 

**  To-morrow,  child,  that  he  will,  and  by  sunrise 
too.  I  know  the  man  well ;  we  have  to  thank  the 
storm  for  preventing  his  return  to-night. 

*«  You  think  there  is  no  danger  of  his  attempting 
to  force  my  room  ?  " 

<*None  now,  whatever.  I  would  not  trust  him 
this  morning,  but  he  has  shown  himself  less  keen 
than  I  thought  him ;  we  are  more  than  a  match  for 
the  scoundrel.  By  the  way,  Frank  jNIcGowan  has 
reached  home  ;  he  writes  me  he  shall  be  in  our  city 
to-day." 

**  So  soon?  Harry  thought  it  probable  he  would 
not  be  allowed  to  return." 

**  It  was  a  hazardous  thing  any  way,  this  journey 
of  his  ;  he  went  North  for  his  sister,  did  n't  he  ?  " 

"Yes.  Annie  McGovvan  has  been  at  school  in 
New   York  for  several   years ;    I  shall   insist  upon 


EYE-WITXESS.  129 

Frank's  making  his  home  here,  while  he  is  in  the 
city ;  his  presence  will',  in  some  measure,  reconcile 
me  to  Kalph's  infamous  intrusion." 

'*A  capital  suggestion!"  cried  the  doctor,  glee- 
fully, *«  I'll  meet  Frank  at  the  station  and  send  him 
here ;  next  to  Harry  Blout,  Maggie,  you  could  not 
have  a  wiser  or  a  cooler  head  to  consult  with ;  he  's 
a  man  after  my  own  heart,  firm  and  true  as  steel." 

Dr.  Hall  was  right.  Before  breakfast  was  served, 
a  clattering  of  hoofs  was  heard  on  the  drive,  and,  as 
Maggie  turned  to  the  window,  she  saw  Ralph  and 
two  of  his  men  in  the  act  of  dismounting,  and  sigh- 
ing deeply,  she  left  the  room. 

Some  hours  later  she  sent  for  Ealph  to  meet  her  in 
the  parlor;  and  on  his  appearance,  after  a  few 
commonplace  remarks,  with  a  forced  smile  she  asked, 
'  *  if  he  had  any  choice  of  rooms  ? "  The  smile 
vanished,  however,  when  he  replied  — 

**The  one  .front,  which  you  objected  to  my  enter- 
ing yesterday,  would  suit  my  purpose  best." 

"  That  room  is  mine ;  it  will  remain  so,"  Maggie 
replied. 

''Very  well.  I  will  occupy  the  one  opposite; 
the  view  is,  perhaps,  equally  as  good." 

"  That  one  I  have  reserved  for  Mr.  McGowan,  a 
gentleman  I  expect  here  to-day." 

"  Excuse  me,  I  understood  you  to  ask  if  I  had  a 
choice  ;  it  is  restricted  to  what  you  have  not  already 
appropriated,  I  see.  However,  a  room  is  of  small 
moment ;  you  spoke  of  Mr.  McGowan ;  is  it  Frank 
McGowan  of  Whiteville  ?  " 

««  The  same,"  Maggie  said,  more  eagerly  than  she 
was  conscious  of. 

*  *  Is  he  a  relative  ?  " 


130  EYE-WITNESS. 

*'  A  distant  one  ;  although  I  call  him  cousin." 

<«  A  valued  friend?  perhaps." 

"  Yes.     Do  you  know  him?  " 

'*  I  know  somewhat  of  him,  and  can  safely  say  he 
will  not  be  here  to-day." 

''Why?" 

'*I  read  in  this  morning's  paper,  that  a  man, 
answering  to  such  a  name,  was  arrested  last  evening, 
while  on  his  way  to  this  city,  for  expressing  senti- 
ments decidedly  obnoxious  to  his  travelling  com- 
panions. The  paper  did  not  state  what,  but  it  seems 
enough  was  said  to  have  him  passed  up  the  road  to 
Salisbury." 

At  this  moment  Maggie  was  called  from  the  room. 
With  her  usual  grace  she  crossed  the  long  parlor ; 
but  the  hall  gained,  and  that  stabbing  voice  lost  to 
her  tortured  senses,  she  could  restrain  her  feelings  no 
lonofcr. 

o 

*'  Anything,  Lizzie,"  she  whispered,,'*  only  leave 
me  undisturbed  for  an  hour." 

Lizzie  looked  into  her  mistress'  face  and  forbore  to 
make  her  request.  She  saw  her  enter  the  library ; 
then  clinching  her  huge  hand  she  shook  it  before  the 
open  parlor  door,  muttering  — 

"  Yer'll  kill  'er  !  yer  old  sarpent,  if  Massa  Harry 
stays  up  yonder  many  more  days  !  but  I've  swared 
to  save  her,  and  old  black  Liz.  will  do  it !  " 


CHAPTER  XYIII. 

mTEODUCING  NEW  CHAEACTEES. 

Into  one  of  the  few  handsome  residences  which 
grace  the  antiquated  town  of  Whiteville,  let  me 
transport  you^  reader.  The  house  and  its  surround- 
ings bespeak  wealth,  and  the  cultivated  taste  of  the 
owner.  Our  attention,  however,  is  drawn  to  the 
two  persons  who  sit  busily  sewing  upon  tlie  veranda. 

The  elder  is  a  noble-looking  lady  of  some  forty 
years  ;  her  face  is  expressive  of  goodness  and  beauty  ; 
her  eyes  are  full  and  earnest,  and  her  smile,  irresist- 
ibly winning.  Those  who  knew  Mrs.  McGowan 
most  intimately,  wondered  how  one  bred  in  an 
atmosphere  of  pride  and  ultra  refinement,  could,  so 
unreservedly,  associate  with  the  less  favored  ones, 
among  whom,  in  later  years,  her  lot  was  cast.  It 
was  the  Christian  loveliness  of  her  character,  which 
endeared  her  alike  to  all,  even  the  most  prejudiced  of 
her  neighbors,  who,  on  her  advent  among  them, 
declared  —  *  *  They  had  no  use  for  aristocratic  Vir- 
ginians ;  too  fine  ladles  for  their  town ;  for  all  they 
could  see  they  were  as  good  as  she,  if  not  quite  as 
ladyish,"  &c.,  &c. 

The  young  girl  at  her  side  is  her  daughter ;  she 
has  the  same  full  eye  and  wavy  brown  hair ;   her 


132  EYE-WITNESS. 

features  are  regular,  with  a  liveliness  of  expression, 
which  portrays  every  chan^'e  of  feeling. 

*«  Do  see!  mamma,"  she  exclaimed  petulantly, 
*Miow  this  thread  will  knot;  if  I  were  sewing  for 
the  Yankees,  my  needle  would  go  as  smoothly  as 
Aunt  Lucy's  shuttle." 

**You  would  be  less  troubled,  my  daughter,  if 
you  would  take  more  interest  in  your  work,  and  not 
keep  your  eyes  on  the  road  so  intently." 

"  Nothing  ever  came  of  an  attempt  to  accomplish 
a  thing  the  heart  does  not  sanction ;  so  good  by 
•homespun ;  some  one  else  will  have  to  sew  for  Jeff. 
Davis's  soldiers,  I  can't  longer." 

Annie  tossed  her  work  into  her  maid's  lap,  and, 
springing  to  her  feet,  clapped  her  hands  for  her 
pony,  capering  near.  His  attention  caught,  she 
pointed  at  the  post,  where  the  saddle  hung,  then  at 
the  coachman.  Away  trotted  the  docile  creature, 
and  takina:  the  saddle  between  his  teeth  bore  it  to  the 
stable  and  laid  it  carefully  down  at  the  groom's  feet. 

«'  Quick  !  John,"  shouted  the  little  lady,  «'  and  do 
you  saddle  the  mare  and  accompany  me."  Then 
dropping  her  voice,  she  thus  soliloquized  :  — 

*'  Once  in  the  woods  and  I  can  sing '  Red,  White, 
and  Blue,'  and  '  John  Brown,' to  my  heart's  content. 
Mamma  has  never  heard  the  latter ;  I  believe  I  will 
surprise  her  with  one  stanza." 

Annie's  voice  was  of  singular  sweetness  and  rare 
compass ;  and  the  verse  was  sung  with  such  effect, 
as  to  draw  many  an  ebon  face  from  tasks  assigned. 
With  *'  Glory,  Glory,  Hallelujah"  still  on  her  lip, 
she  turned  to  note  the  effect  of  tabooed  patriotism 
upon  her  mother,  when,  to  her  great  discomfiture, 
she  discerned   one  of  their  neighbors  approaching. 


EYE-WITNESS.  133 

Thinking  to  escape  observation  she  bent  low  behind 
some  flowering  shrubs  near,  whispering  to  herself: 
*'If  there  isn't  old 'lady  Proe  !  I  do  wonder  what 
she  comes  here  for ;  it  w^as  only  last  week  she  said 
the  McGowans  were  all  Yankees  and  ought  to  be 
put  in  jail ;  —  despicable  secesh  !  I  wish  such  as 
you  would  stay  away  from  those  you  affect  to 
despise ! " 

'*  Annie,"  said  her  mother;  but  the  young  girl 
was  too  intent  w^ith  her  own  plans,  for  the  most 
consistent  treatment  to  be  tendered  an  avowed 
enemy,  to  heed ;  at  the  second  bidding,  however^ 
she  arose  and  walked  deliberately  up  to  the  caller  in 
the  deep  fly-bonnet. 

"  How  do  you  do?  Mrs.  Prue,"  she  said,  extend- 
ing her  hand. 

''How  d'y,  Miss  Ann?  I'm  tolerable,  are  you 
w^eil?" 

"  Quite  so  ;  and  your  family?" 

"  Are  all  up,  I  believe." 

The  usual  salutatory  remarks  over,  Annie  seated 
herself  where  she  could  escape  her  mother's  eye  and 
any  gestures  she  might  make  by  way  of  caution. 

JMrs.  Prue,  at  her  hostess'  request,  laid  aside  the 
fly-bonnet,  and  drew^  her  hoopless  skirts  about  her ; 
then,  as  her  custom  was,  took  from  her  pocket  a 
small  tin  box  and  brush. 

"Have  a  dip,  Mrs.  McGowan?  May  be  you 
have  a  brush  of  your  own." 

"  Thank  you,  Mrs.  Prue,  but  I  never  dip."  * 

*  This  custom  of  dipping  is  almost  uniTersal  at  the  South,  — 

high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  mistress  and  slave,  practise  it.    The 

slave  makes  the  brush  for  her  mistress  by  chewing  a  little  twig 

of  a  certain  kind  of  wood,  until  the  end  is  like  a  fine  soft  brush. 

12 


134  ETE-WITNESS. 

.  '*  But,  ]\Iiss  Ann,  you  will !  "  and  the  gill  of  mac- 
aboy  was  extended  to  the  right. 

*' I  haven't  any  brush,"  said  Annie,  with  well- 
feigned  regret. 

*  *  I  suppose  you  would  n't  use  mine  ?  " 

'<  My  daughter  never  dips,"  Mrs.  McGowan 
quietly  remarked. 

< '  Well !  well !  neither  of  you  dip  ?  It 's  a  mighty 
fortunate  thing  these  days.  Snuff  is  growing  so 
high ;  it 's  a  dollar  a  pound  now,  and  hard  to  get  at 
that.  ^Yliat  we  are  all  coming  to,  if  the  Yankees  dont 
stop  this  fuss  soon,  I  can't  for  the  life  of  me  tell." 

"  The  destruction  which  threatens,  is  appalling, 
certainly." 

*'  Yes,  Mrs.  McGowan,  bread  and  meat  may  be 
scarce  ;  money,  however,  will  purchase  food,  and  you 
and  I  have  nothing  to  fear  on  that  score  ;  but  laws-a- 
me  !  snuff,  it  can't  be  had  in  the  Southern  Confederacy 
two  months  longer  !  It  is  bread  and  meat  to  me, 
and  it 's  something  I  can't  do  without." 

* '  Have  you  sent  to  our  larger  cities  for  it  ?  " 

"Yes,  everywhere  in  the  State,  but  it  can't  be 
had,"  said  Mrs.  Prue,  most  despondingly. 

' '  Why  not  grind  up  tobacco  and  put  salt  with  it  ? 
our  niggers  do  so  ; "  said  Annie. 

"  Why,  child,  it  would  be  strong  enough  to  start 
every  tooth  in  my  head  !  I  have  fifteen  pounds  laid 
by,  but  that  much  will  not  last  three  weeks,  —  three 
weeks !  no !  for  Clara  and  Sallie  are  inveterate 
dippers,  like  myself;  and  then  the  niggers  steal  at 
least  a  quarter  of  a  pound  a  week." 

<«  Jane,  bring  a  spittoon,"  her  mistress  said. 

It  is  then  given  to  her  mistress,  who  hides  it  under  her  garter, 
ready  for  use. 


EYE-WITNESS.  135 

'*  Never  mind,  Mrs.  McGowan,  I  can  clear  the 
steps.  I  never  soil  my  own  ;  "  but  the  spittoon  was 
brought,  and  ]\Irs.  INIcGowan  was  spared  further 
exhibition  of  her  guest's  proficiency  in  *'  clearing 
steps." 

**  Miss  Ann,  you  were  singing  a  beautiful  tune  as 
I  came  up,"  said  Mrs.  Prue,  graciously,  *'  you 
didn't  learn  that  up  North,  I'm  sure." 

''Glory,  Glory,  Hallelujah,  was  that  it?"  and 
Annie  hummed  the  first  line. 

''  Yes,  yes,  that's  it;  it 's  a  grand  old  Methodist 
psalm  tune ;  let  me  hear  it  again." 

Without  waiting  to  be  urged,  Annie  sang  one 
verse  of  the  song.  ' 

''There,  that's  what  I  call  good  music,  real 
soul-stirring,"  cried  the  delighted  lady.  ' '  I  must 
have  my  girls  learn  it ;  but  who  was  this  Ellsworth  ? 
He  must  have  been  a  mighty  good  man,  to  have  had 
such  a  song  as  that  made  up  about  him." 

"  So  he  was,  Mrs.  Prue,  and  has  gone  to  glory, 
you  may  be  sure,"  said  the  young  girl,  reverently. 

"  I  don't  doubt  it,  my  dear ;  but  is  that  all  of  the 
tune?" 

"  There  is  another  verse  about  a  martyr  John, 
whom,  'tis  said,  icise  men  slew." 

"  It 's  good,  I  know,  sing  that,"  but  a  cough  from 
her  mother  warned  the  now  lauorhino^  orirl  that  she 
must  go  no  farther. 

"  I  cannot  work  and  sing  too,"  she  replied. 
' '  You  must  excuse  me  from  music  until  I  have  fin- 
ished my  afternoon's  task  ?  "    ' 

"Afternoon!  there,  that's  one  of  the  Yankee 
words  which  provokes  the  girls  so  to  hear ;  they  tell 
me,  Miss  Ann,  you  are  a  Yankee  all  over.     I  did  n't 


136  EYE-WITNESS. 

believe  it  though ;  but  I  thought  I'd  come  and  see. 
You  haven't  had  many  callers  since  you  come  home, 
I  reckon." 

<'  The  misses  of  her  age  have  not  been  to  see  her," 
said  Mrs.  ]McGowan. 

**  No,  and,  they  say,  they  wont  come  until  she  has 
dropped  them  Yankee  airs  she  has  ;  but  for  my  part, 
I  can't  see  but  she  appears  just  the  same  as  if  she 
had  n't  been  up  to  Xew  York." 

**  I  am  sure  if  Annie's  young  mates  should  visit 
her,  they  would  find  her  no  more  chancred  than  you 
and  I." 

"They  see  her  at  church,  they  say,  and  that's 
enough  for  them  ;  them  pink  roses  en  the  top  of  her 
bonnet  and  on  the  inside  too,  they  hate,  they  are  so 
Yankeeish ;  there  is  n't  a  gu'l  around  here,  little  or 
big,  who  would  wear  them.  So,  Miss  Ann,  if  you 
want  the^irls  to  visit  you,  you  must  leave  off  such 
miserable  finery,  and  do  as  they  do." 

"  How  is  that  ?  "  Annie  asked,  in  so  subdued  a  tone 
that  the  zealous  neiofhbor  was  encourao^ed  to  admin- 
ister  more  wholesome  advice. 

*'  Why,-  take  off  your  hoops,  and  wear  your  old 
bonnet  and  old  frocks,  as  all  of  m  have  sworn  to 
do ;  yes,  (more  vehemently)  sworn  to  deny  ourselves 
everj'thing  of  the  kind,  oil  from  'principle,  you  see, 
until  this  war  is  over  ;  just  to  match  Northern  shop- 
keepers, for  sending  their  clerks  down  here  to  steal 
our  niggers.  They'll  learn,  too  late,  whose  money 
they  've  been  living  on  !  But  we  've  shut  our  purses 
now,  and  never,  never  will  buy  or  use  another  article 
of  Yankee  make  ;  nor  would  you.  Miss  Ann,  if  you 
had  the  right  kind  of  principle  about  you."  Mrs. 
McGowan  was  at  this  moment  called  into  the  house. 


EYE-WITNESS.  137 

Annie  arose,  and  taking  her  mother's  chair  at  the 
side  of  Mrs.  Prue,  said  — 

' '  I  am  quite  sm'e  that  I  can  convince  you  I  am  a 
girl  of  some  principle.  See,  here  are  clothes  I  am 
making  for  the  soldiers  ;  now,  there's  industry  in  my 
favor,  is  n't  there  ?  " 

''Why,  yes;  but  one  must  do  something  besides 
making  soldier's  clothes,  if  they  would  stop  the 
war." 

*'  I  am  making  a  red,  white,  and  blue  flag; 
there's  patriotism  for  my  list." 

**  AYhat  are  you  making  three  flags  for,  child?" 

"  I  am  not  making  three  flags,  only  one ;  our  flag, 
which  is  red,  white,  and  blue." 

'  *  Tln^ee  colors  in  one  flag  ?  " 

"Certainly;  it's  an  old  saying,  that  those  three 
colors  properly  put  together,  make  a  banner  which  no 
tyrant  can  see  without  trembling." 

«'  Why,  you  don't  say  so  !  "  ejaculated  the  aston- 
ished lady.  '*  I'll  tell  Clara  and  Sal  about  it; 
they've  been  making  a  flag  out  of  red  bunting, 
but  it  can't  be  half  so  handsome  as  yours ;  you  will 
let  us  see  it  when  it  is  done,  won't  you  ?  " 

' '  Yes  ;  you  shall  see  it  just  before  I  give  it  to  the 
soldiers  it  is  made  for ;  you  will  want  one  like  it 
then:' 

*'  I  dare  say  I  shall.  I  declare,  I'd  like  to  see  a 
flag,  which  would  bring  them  horrid  Yankees  down 
on  their  knees;  for  if  they  arn't  tyrants,  there  are 
no  tyrants  in  the  world." 

''Mrs.  Prue,"  said  Annie,  solemnly,  *'it's  my 
opinion,  that  if  you  and  I  live  long  enough,  we  shall 
see  every  one  in  these  States  of  America  under  this 
flag." 

12» 


138  ETE -WITNESS. 

« «  The  good  Lord  grant  it !  " 

*'  Amen  !  "  Avas  Annie's  fervent  response. 

*'  But,  Annie,  what  name  do  you  give  it?  " 

''Columbia's  flag;  it's  a  pretty  name,  don't  you 
think  so?"   . 

* '  Yes  ;  but  it's  a  right  smart  hard  one  to  remem- 
ber." 

"  Xever  mind  the  name,  that  is  nothing  ;  it  is  what 
is  done  under  it,  which  makes  us  proud  of  it." 

"  That  is  my  idea,  exactly." 

"  Now,  one  word  about  fashions,"  said  the  mis- 
chievous girl,  demurely;  "you  tell  your  daughters 
that  they  can  wear  their  hoops,  and  the  very  nicest 
things  they  can  find  in  our  stores  ;  for  the  styles  have 
changed  so  much  since  our  merchants  went  Xorth,  no 
one  here  can  be  accused  of  imitating  Xorthern  fash- 
ions, let  them  dress  as  they  will." 

"You  are  sure  of  that,  are  you?  for  my  girls 
would  die,  before  they  would  wear  the  first  thing  like 
them  miserable  Yankees." 

"Yes,  quite  sure;  just  to  look  at  Godey's  last 
fashion  plates  —  " 

' '  Have  you  Godey's  last  ?  "  and  the  neighbor's 
chair  approached  the  settee  where  Annie  sat,  moder- 
ately fast.  "  How  I  should  lilvC  to  take  one,  just 
one  little  look  into  it ;  Clara  and  SaUie  are  dpng  for 
Godey,  but  there!  they  wouldn't  touch  it,  nor 
Harper  and  Frank  Leslie's  trash  now,  for  their 
^veight  in  gold  !  But  I  might  get  some  little  idea 
how  to  fix  up  their  bonnets  and  frocks  for  summer 
(they  would  n't  know  it,  you  know) ,  they  do  look  so 
shabby  !  It  would  n't  be  hefphig  the  Xorth  any  if  I 
looked  out  of  you?'  book,  would  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Mrs.  Prue  ;  you  might  look  into  my  book, 


EYE-WITJJESS.  139 

to  be  sure,  but  I  have  too  much  principle  to  tempt 
any  one  to  sacrifice  trutli,  or  to  pilfer  what  they 
openly  scoff  at,"  and  the  young  girl  raised  her  ear- 
nest eyes  to  the  face,  which  was  bent  down  to  her 
box,  in -which  the  mop  was  twirling  with  unusual 
rapidity. 

'*  Steal,  child,  steal !  "  said  the  slightly  disconcerted 
neighbor,  clearing  her  mouth,  in  a  manner  more 
decorously  imagined  than  described,  for  a  fresh  dip, 
*'  I  feel  we  have  thrown  away  a  great  deal  of  money 
upon  Northern  trash,  Northern  humbuggery,  and  it 
is  my  due  to  make  it  up  when  I  can.  There  is  one 
comfort,  though,  we  are  done  with  them  and  their 
lies  now  and  forever  !  It  is  a  very  serious  matter  to 
the  Yankees,  however,  very  serious  ;  husband  says,  — 
and  he  ought  to  know,  for  he  has  been  North  every 
year  for  goods  except  this  last  one, — he  says,  the 
North  must  burst  up  completely  without  our  trade  ; 
and  what's  more,  he  says  thousands  will  die  in  the 
streets  for  the  corn  we  throw  to  our  hogs.  The  ven- 
geance of  God  is  upon  them  for  their  sins,  so  every 
minister  in  the  land  will  tell  you." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

PEEPAPJNG   FOR   THE   BALL. 

*«  See  my  beautiful  pony,  Mrs.  Prue  ! "  exclaimed 
Annie,  interrupting  the  story  of  Northern  destruc- 
tion which  she  had  heard,  not  once,  but  scores  of 
times  during  the  short  two  weeks  she  had  been  at 
home,  *'  is  n't  he  a  beauty  with  his  new  saddle  on? 
it  is  a  Spanish  saddle ;  I  brought  it  with  me  from 
New  York." 

"  Then,  for  the  Lord's  sake,  don't  ask  me  to  ad- 
mire it !  "  was  the  indignant  reply.  * '  Who  do  you 
suppose  will  ask  you  to  ride  with  that  thing  on  your 
horse?  And  that  reminds  me,  the  gentlemen  here 
have  sworn  not  to  notice  a  lady,  be  she  young  or  old, 
who  has  n't  on  a  secesh  badge ;  and  the  ladies  also 
have  bound  themselves  by  an  oath  to  frown  down ,  to 
cut  completely,  every  man  who  refuses  to  volunteer ; 
that 's  my  spirit,  exactly.  Yankee  sympathizers  can't 
live  here  !  " 

*  *  Are  Clara  and  Sallie  going  to  the  ball  ?  "  asked 
Annie,  seemingly  too  intent  upon  the  antics  of  her 
pony,  to  notice  the  look  Mrs.  Prue  favored  her  with, 
as  she  uttered  her  last  emphatic  words. 

' '  To  be  sure  they  are  ;  —  they  are  among  the 
managers." 

* '  Then  the  ladies  invite  ?  " 


EYE-WITNESS.  141 

'*  Of  course  they  do  ;  I  suppose  you  did  n't  expect 
an  invitation  ?  " 

"  I  have  received  none." 

^'No  indeed!  there  isn't  a  dozen,  no,  not  half 
that  number,  who  would  go  if  you  were  to  be  there. 
Your  brother  Frank's  not  vokuiteering  has  set  people 
to  talking  awfully  about  you  all;  if  Frank  knew 
what  was  good  for  himself,  he  would  fall  into  the 
ranks  before  he  is  a  day  older." 

' '  Brother  Frank  is  not  a  man  to  be  intimidated 
into  doing  anything,"  was  the  emphatic  reply  ;  then, 
after  a  sliort  pause,  —  «'but  do  tell  me,  what  the 
girls  will  wear  to-morrow  night  ?  " 

*' Oh,  dear!  that's  what  troubles  the  whole  of 
us  —  (and  still  more  despondingly)  their  pink 
silks  are  badly  faded  and  their  muslins  wretchedly 
torn.  They  are  worried  to  death  nearly,  for  fear  they 
shall  not  look  as  v»^ell  as  the  rest." 

''How  cheap  silks  were  selling,  when  I  bought 
mine,"  said  Annie,  absently ;  "  the  nicest  kind  for  a 
dollar  a  yard;  fortunately  I  laid  in  a  supply  of 
thread,  needles,  pins,  shoes,  and  frocks  of  various 
kinds.  Why,  they  told  me  at  the  store,  yesterday, 
that  in  less  than  a  month  not  a  thing  of  the  kind 
could  be  had  in  the  market." 

*«  Yes,  indeed,  that 's  so.  Xot  a  pin,  nor  a  spool 
of  thread  can  be  had  here,  to-day,  nor  this  side  of 
Newbern.  I  sent  Dick  there,  this  morning,  and  if 
there  are  none  to  be  had  in  that  city,  the  girls  will 
have  to  stay  at  home  from  the  ball,  and  it  will  well- 
nigh  kill  them  to  do  that." 

*'If  they  have  nothing  new  to  make  up,  what 
need  have  they  of  thread  ?  " 

''Why,  child,  if  they  do    not  wear   hoops  they 


142  ^      ETE-ATITNESS. 

must   tuck   up    their  skirts.     They  couldn't   dance 
with  them  laying  two  feet  on  the  floor,  could  they  ?  " 

*'  They  had  better  wear  their  hoops  then." 

*'  That's  very  well  said;  but,  to  be  honest  about 
it,  they  haven't  got  any  to  wear;  theirs  are  all 
broken  up,  and  there  are  none  to  be  had  to  replace 
them." 

* '  I  have  three ;  but  they  are  of  the  very  newest 
style." 

""Yes,  we  all  saw  yours  last  Sunday.  It  sets 
your  dress  out  awfully  about  the  bottom  ;  but  if 
that's  the  fashion,  no  matter ;"  up  came  the  chah'  and 
the  capped  head  dropped  again  to  the  girfs  blooming 
face  ;  "  Look  here.  Miss  Ann,  rather  than  have  the 
girls  stay  at  home  and  lose  such  a  ball,  —  a  real 
soldier's  ball,  —  the  first  one  we  have  ever  had  here, 
vou  know,  maybe,  if  Dick  brings  no  pins  nor  thread, 
i'll  slip  round  or  send  one  of  the  niggers  and  borrow 
a  hoop  for  each  of  the  gkls  ;  they  need  n't  know  but 
Dick  brought  them  from  Xewbern." 

Af^ain  Annie's  face  assumed  a  very  grave  expres- 
sion as  she  said,  "  Xo,  Mrs.  Prue,  they  will  never 
know  anvthing  about  it,  for  it  would  be  unprincipled 
in  me  to  lend  my  hoops,  or  anything  else  which  has 
been  condemned,  or  to  help  cheat  anybody." 

A  small  cough,  another  dip,  and  Mrs.  Prue  arose 
to  o*o,  saving,  —  "Of  course,  of  course,  you  can  do 
as  °you  please.  If  the  girls,  however,  have  any- 
thing which  you  Avould  like  to  borrow,  don't  hesitate 
to  send  round,  Hike  to  be  on  good  terms  with  all  my 
neighbors  ;  and  tell  your  mother,"  she  added,  draw- 
ing^ on  her  fly-bonnet,  "she  must  come  round  and 
see  us ;  and  you  must  come  too,  Miss  Ann,  when 
you  can  feel  and  act  as  every  Southern  Christian 
should." 


EYE-WITNESS.  143 

She  turned  to  leave,  when,  stopping  suddenly  as  a 
young  lady  rode  up  to  the  gate,  she  exclahned,  '*  If 
there  is  n't  Puss  Smith !  I  should  n't  think  she 
would  come  here  !  " 

*'Dear  Annie,  I  have  just  got  home  myself,  or  I 
should  have  been  here  before,"  were  the  words  Mrs. 
Prue  heard,  as,  with  her  bosom  rife  with  enmity  and 
rankling  jealousy,  she  turned  from  the  gate  to  tread 
the  sandy  road  homeward. 

A  twofold  object  had  this  neighbor  in  view,  when 
she  announced  to  her  astonished  family  circle  her 
intention  to  call  upon  the  McGowans  :  the  first,  and 
most  essential,  she  thought  to  accomplish  by  going 
through  the  garden,  thinking  to  hear  something  "  on 
the  sly,"  which  she  could  hurl  into  the  unquiet  stream 
of  conflicting  rumors,  whose  black  waves  of  error  and 
exaggeration  were  so  soon  to  engulf  that  cheerful 
and  devoted  home  :  the  other,  to  obtain  a  piece  of 
Yankee  finery,  and,  with  such  adventitious  aid,  to 
*'  fine"  her  girls  for  the  ball ;  and  in  both  endeavors, 
we  have  seen,  she  met  with  signal  failure.  As  Mrs. 
Prae  passes  from  sight,  feeling  as  uncomfortable, 
inly,  as  the  evil-disposed  can  feel,  vrhen  the  heart, 
expanding  to  embrace  some  cherished  project,  is 
made  to  contract  sharply  under  the  stab  of  mortifying 
defeat,  —  our  best  wishes  that  she  may  reach  a  hap- 
pier goal  than  the  one  she  is  now  heading  for, 
attend  her. 

''  Why,  Annie,  the  sun  has  set,"  said  her  com- 
panion, jumping  up.  ''  Who  would  have  thought  I 
had  been  here  two  hours  and  more  !  But  there,  I 
cannot  leave  until  I  know  what  you  will  wear  at  the 
ball  to-morrow  nioht." 

o 

*'  I  have  had  na  invitation  to  attend  the  ball,"  and 


144  EYE-WITNESS. 

Annie  repeated  Mrs.  Prue's  remarks,  adding,  ''I  do 
not  care  to  go  ;  I  have  said  I  would  not  wear  those 
secesh  badges,  and  I  will  not !  " 

««  Annie  McGowan,  now  hear  me.  I  am  head 
manager  of  this  ball ;  your  name  I  have  seen  upon 
the  list  of  guests,  and  your  brother's  also,  although 
great  opposition  was  offered  to  his  being  invited. 
Why  your  invitation  has  not  been  sent,  is  something 
for  me  to  find  out.  Did  Mrs.  Prue's  *  girls,'  as  she 
calls  them,  dare  to  erase  your  names  during  my  ab- 
sence? I  think  not,  but  I  will  investigate  this  mat- 
ter thoroughly,  and  see  to  whom  this  neglect  is 
chargeable.  The  girls  around  here,  from  what  I 
hear,  are  envious  of  you,  sojely  because  you  have 
more  stylish  clothes  than  they,  and  look  so  beauti- 
fully in  them,  too." 

'*  It  is  better  for  me  not  to  meet  with  them,  then, 
if,  as  you  say,  my  presence  excites  envy." 

"No  such  thing,  Annie  dear.  ISTow  promise  me 
you  will  go  to-morrow  night,  and  wear  the  most 
stylish  clothes  you  have  :  then  I  must  be  off." 

'*  I  cannot  promise,  for  papa  and  Frank  are  both 
away,  and  I  would  not  like  to  leave  mamma  alone." 

"  Only  say  you  will  go,"  pleaded  the  young  lady, 
"  and  I  will  find  your  mother  a  companion.  You 
know  we  have  a  nice  chatty  aunt  living  with  us ; 
now  she  will  be  delighted  to  spend  an  evening  here, 
to  ventilate  some  of  her  odd  notions  about  this  war ; 
say  you  will  go,  and  brother  and  I  will  call  for  you 
in  the  carriage." 

Annie  finally  gave  her  consent  to  the  arrangement, 
and  then  followed  a  long  discussion  upon  dress  and 
ball-adornings.  INIiss  Smith's  wardrobe,  as  described 
by  herself,  kept  her  young  friend  in  a  right  merry 


EYE-WITNESS.  145 

mood  and  constantly  repeating,  "  it  can't  be  half  as 
bad  !  you  surely  do  exaggerate  !  " 

"  Well,  if  you  distrust  what  I  say,  come  and  see 
for  yourself."  Then,  with  her  face  flushed  with  mor- 
tification, and  her  heart  fired  with  bitter  animosity 
towards  the  supposed  author  of  her  riches  in  rags, 
the  excited  girl  stamped  her  foot  upon  the  floor,  ex- 
claiming — 

*  *  Abe  Lincoln  shall  yet  pay  for  all  these  annoy- 
ances, all  this  scrimping  and  pulling  to  keep  one's 
self  decently  clothed  !  You  must  know,  Annie,  we 
are  to  march  from  Washington  on  to  Xev/  York,  and 
from  there,  who  can  tell  where?  What  folly  it  is 
for  our  people  to  say,  we  have  no  use  for  the  North ; 
now  I  would  just  like  to  know  who  cares  a  fig  for  a 
bonnet,  or  a  garment  of  any  kmd,  unless  it  comes 
from  New  York?  It's  the  Yankees,  themselves,  we 
can  do  without,  but  not  then-  splendid  cities  ;  to  think 
of  our  owning  Washington,  New  York,  Saratoga, 
and  Ne\^^ort !  Imagine,  if  you  can,  our  walking 
into  Stewart's,  Ball  &  Black's,  and  Tiffany's,  and 
taking  what  we  want  without  as  much  as,  *  by  your 
leave.'  It  is  wicked  for  me  to  grumble  about  a  frock 
now,  when  in  a  month,  or  six  weeks  at  the  latest,  we 
half-starved,  half-nude  Dixieites  shall  have 

Gowans  of  silk  and  golden  ore, 
Evermore,  evermore ! 

Fortunate  it  is  indeed  for  us,  that  we  are  of  the 
right  age  to  enjoy  such  conquests  !  " 

<*  What  news  have  you.  Miss  Mary?"  asked  Mrs. 
McGowan,  stepping  out  on  the  veranda  and  seating 

13 


146  EYE-WITXESS. 

herself  beside  the  young  gh-ls.      ''  Do  to-day's  tele- 
grams brmg  what  is  favorable  to  our  arms  ?  " 

'*  O,  Mrs.  McGowan,  I  have  heard  no  particular 
news ;  I  have  only  been  fitting  a  key  to  the  lock  our 
soldiers  are  to  turn." 

'  *  And  what  is  the  treasure  so  ponderous  a  lock 
withholds?" 

^'Liberty." 

* '  What  do  you  mean  by  that,  ]Mary  ?  " 

''To  do  just  what  one  wants  to  do,  and  in  a  way 
it  suits  one  best ;  that's  what  I  call  liberty ;  and  'tis 
what  we  have  known  as  little  about,  under  Yankee 
rule,  as  those  nigs  yonder." 

*'  How  are  we  to  get  such  unconditional  power,  if 
you  mean  by  us,  the  South?  " 

<<  Why,  hj  wliipping  the  North,  as  we  are  going 
to  do  at  Manassas." 

' «  Our  soldiers  are  confident  of  victory,  I  Imow ; 
but  we  must  remember  that  those  who  stand  arrayed 
against  us,  are  powerful." 

"  As  to  numbers,  yes  ;  but  when  we  have  God  on 
our  side,  what  good  will  men  and  money  do  them?  " 

*'  Are  we  sure  we  have  the  God  of  battles  on  our 
side?" 

«*  Certainly,  for  God  always  favors  the  right;  and 
I  am  equally  sure,  that  that  rich  Astor's  money  might 
as  well  be  thrown  into  the  sea,  as  to  be  handed  over 
to  Abe  Lincoln.  Just  to  think  of  one  man  giving  a 
hundred  million  to  prosecute  this  war,  and  promising 
to  lend  as  many  more  !  Uncle  James  says,  those 
merchant  princes  of  New  York  are  made  of  gold  ; 
.and  we  all  know,  now,  that  what  has  been  said  of 
their  being  so  grasping  and  mercenary  as  to  sell  theh 
own  children  for  a  sixpence,  is  too  true." 


EYE-WITI^ESS.  147 

Mrs.  McGowan  cast  an  anxious,  warninp-  o-lance 
upon  her  daughter;  she  saw  that  her  cheek  was 
flushed,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  she  could  restrain 
her  emotions.  She  waited  until  her  passion  had 
subsided,  and  then  said  :  — 

"I  have  heard  you  speak  often  of  Mv.  Astor's 
wealth,  Annie.  Can't  you  set  your  young  friend 
right  as  regards  a  true  estimate  of  his  prope°  ty  ?  I 
saw  the  statement  of  liis  enormous  wealth  in  our 
paper;  but  I  am  sure,  although  a  very  rich  man, 
Mr.  Astor  has  not  so  many  millions  to  give  Mr. 
Lincoln,  or  any  one  else." 

But  the  yaung  lady  was  not  to  be  convinced. 
''  She  should  believe  the  papers,  the  Southern  papers, 
before  any  assertion  ^Northerners  might  make." 

Annie  yielded  the  point  with  a  good-natured  laugh, 
and  her  friend  coming  off  conqueror,  continued  her 
storm  of  invective  against  the  Korth,  until  words  were 
exhausted,  if  her  passion  was  not,  and  finished  by 
extollmg  the  efficiency  of  Southern  troops  and  their 
ability  to  annihilate  any  force  which  might  be  sent 
down  upon  them,  from  North,  East,  and  West. 

''My  dear  young  friend,"  said  Mrs.  McGowan, 
*'  you  must  not  be  too  sanguine ;  the  wail  of  defeat 
may  yet  sound  throughout  our  young  Confederacy. 
The  North  and  South  are  one  people;  the  valor, 
fidelity,  and  endm-ance  shown  by  one  faction  may  be 
equally  matched  by  the  other.  We  must  be  pre- 
pared for  any  event  which  may  happen ;  remember 
great  deeds  are  not  always  the  sons  of  miohtv  resolu- 
tions." ^    ^ 

"How  little  your  mother  knows  about  the  Yan- 
kees," said  Puss  Smith,  as  Mrs.  McGowan's  foot- 
steps were  lost  in  the  distance.     *<  Defeat,  indeed! 


148  EYE-WITNESS. 

there  's  not  a  Southern  soldier  but  would  die  twice, 
before  he  would  run  from,  or  suffer  himself  to  be 
taken  prisoner  by- a  Yankee!  What  can  a  set  of 
Yankee  mechanics  do,  when  face  to  face  with  our 
men,  strong  and  brave  as  lions  !  Why,  of  course, 
they  will  run,  —  run  with  lightning  speed  too,  to 
their  coal-hods,  mallets,  and  spades,  where  they 
came  from.  Let  the  North  send  her  gentlemen  into 
the  field,  as  the  South  has  to  do,  then  we  shall  see 
fair  combat ;  but  their  fine  men  stay  at  home  twnling 
their  moustaches  and  smoking  their  meerschaums, 
while  the  scum  of  their  cities  is  Imrled  into  Dixie, 
to  pollute  her  homes,  to  say  to  Southern  chivalry, 
**  Take  up  the  hoe  and  dig  with  us, — you  have 
played  the  gentleman  long  enough,  —  Abe  Lincoln 
has  other  use  for  your  niggers  !  I  say,  Annie,  it  is 
nio'CTer's  work  to  fio-ht  such,  —  and  let  nij^o'ers  take 
the  field ! " 

"Who'll  gather  the  crops,  Puss,  if  we  turn  our 
negroes  into  sokliers?" 

"  There's  white  trash  enough  for  such  labor." 

"  But  you  know,  as  well  as  I,  they  will  not  do 
nigger's  work." 

"  They  can  be  starved  to  it." 

*'  Puss,"  said  Annie  lowering  her  voice,  **  do  you 
want  to  see  arms  in  om*  negroes  hands?  Are  we 
sure  they  would  fight  /or  us,  if  they  thought  by  fight- 
ing against  us,  they  would  be  free?" 

"  Why,  Annie,  how  foohshly  you  talk  !  Just  as 
though  they  would  dare  to  turn  against  us,  while  we 
hold  their  women  and  children  !  " 

*'  And  if  the  Xorth  should  say,  "  Come  over  to 
us,  and  we  will  free  your  women  and  children,"  what 
then?" 


EYE-WITNESS.  149 

'«  I  wish  the  North  had  them, — every  soul  of 
them,"  said  Puss,  musingly,  and  then  with  more 
energy,  —  <<  I  have  heard  papa  say,  time  and  again, 
he  wished  slavery  could  be  done  away  with,  that 
niggers  w^ere  a  torment,  eating  and  destroying  in  one 
year  more  than  they  are  worth ;  and,  for  my  part,  I 
am  heartily  sick  of  them,  they  are  so  mean." 

'*  But  say.  Puss,  what  would  you  do,  if  they 
should  all  run  off?  —  you,  who  have  never  raised  a 
finger  to  help  yourself." 

'*  I,  a  waiting-maid,  compelled  to  handle  a  broom, 
to  hook  my  frock,  and  lace  my  boots,  —  never  ! " 
said  Puss,  emphatically. 

**Why  not?  We  may  all  have  to  come  to 
that." 

'*No,  indeed,  my  little  Yankee  sympathizer! 
You  forget,  if  the  time  should  come,  which  sees 
smutty  faces,  little  and  big,  gathered  into  the  bosom 
of  Abraham's  family,  we  shall  have  prisoners  to  fill 
their  places ;  they  will  only  be  too  glad  to  exchange 
ball  and  chain,  for  hoe  and  spade.  I  do  declare,*^! 
would  turn  overseer  myself  to  see  Yankee  Doodle 
stepped  out  at  the  double  quick,  under  my  lash  I 
The  Yankee  women,  they  tell  me,  are  neat  and 
smart  as  crickets ;  would  n't  I  hke  a  house  full  of 
them,  subject  to  my  will !  "  Then  (bopping  her 
light,  mocking  tone,  she  continued :  "Slavery  is 
a  curse,  —  a  terrible  curse  !  But  the  evil  is  here, 
and  cannot  be  done  away  with  in  our  time,  and  if 
ever,  —  never  at  the  dictation  of  the  North.  If  the 
negro  question,  as  it  is  generally  believed,  is  the 
cause  of  tliis  rupture  between  North  and  South,  there 
will  be  treasure  and  blood  uselessly  spent,  —  for  the 
issue  of  this  strife  will  be  slavery  still, — but  in  a 
13* 


150  EYE-WITNESS. 

more  afTOTavated  form  than  we  now  know  it  to  ex- 
ist." 

A  voice-  from  the  road  at  this  moment  shouted, 
"  out  beyond  hours  !  "  and  Puss  springing  to  her 
feet,  exclaimed:  "There's  brother  Jim,  for  me 
now.  Xot  an  hour  after  sunset  is  it  safe  to  be  out 
without  proper  escort,  the  niggers  are  so  saucy. 
Oh,  dear  !  when  will  this  state  of  things  end  ?  "  she 
added,  somewhat  despondingly,  as  the  two  drew  near 
the  gate  ;  and,  before  she  mounted  her  horse,  she  bent 
down  to  whisper  :  "If  you  should  hear  unpleasant 
things  said  about  your  brother,  to-morrow  night,  be 
too  sensible  to  minjl  them.  If  he  is  as  rank  an 
abolitionist  as  Aunt  Fannie  "  — 

"  Frank  is  not  an  abolitionist,"  said  Annie,  indig- 
nantly interrupting  her. 

' '  He  is  called  so  because  he  will  not  volunteer, 
and  is  accused  of  keeping  others  from  doing  so.  I 
do  hope  he  will  not  fall  into  his  Uncle  Cal\dn's 
power." 

"  Brother  knows  how  to  take  care  of  himself," 
was  the  rejoinder,  and  the  young  friends  parted. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

IGNORANCE   AND   HATRED. 

'*  Mamma,"  said  Annie,  as  mother  and  daughter 
sat  together  in  the  deepening  twilight,  "  what  a  com- 
fort it  is  to  be  alone ;  we  ha^^  scarcely  had  an  hour 
to  ourselves  since  my  return.  Curiosity,  we  know, 
brings  the  greater  part  of  our  visitors  to  the  house, 
and  I  must  say  I  have  no  patience  with  them ;  for 
not  a  third  part  of  the  people  about  here  read  a 
newspaper,  but  credit  every  idle  story  which  is 
afloat." 

*' Annie,  there  would  be  no  merit  in  cultivating 
patience  in  our  hearts,  if  there  was  nothing  to  bear ; 
nor  to  bear  cheerfully,  if  there  was  nothing  to  en- 
dure ;  trials  make  our  faith  perfect." 

*'But,  mamma,  how  can  one  as  hot-tempered  as 
myself  have  patience  with  people,  who,  like  dogs, 
swallow  the  bone  the  master  flings  at  them,  whether 
it  is  poison  or  not?  I  told  jNIr.  Wilson,  who  rode 
up  soon  after  Puss  Smith  left,  of  my  conversation 
with  one  of  our  neighbors  on  our  flag.  He  laughed 
heartily  and  said,  the  men  in  the  gross  were  no  better- 
informed  ;  he  had  himself,  within  a  month,  proposed 
as  a  toast  the  '  Red,  white,  and  blue,'  to  a  crowd 
who  had  been  railing  at  and  cursing  the  supporters  of 
that  very  flag,   and  it  was   drunk  with   prolonged 


152  EYE-WITNESS. 

cheers.*  I  do  not  wonder  at  such  ignorance  in  an 
old  lady  like  ]Mi's.  Prue,  who  has  no  thought,  no  as- 
pu'ation  aside  from  what  money  can  bring ;  but  for 
men  to  be  so  grossly  ignorant  as  to  curse  and  cheer 
the  same  flag  in  the  same  breath,  is  almost  incredible- 
Ko  marvel  that  Calvin  Hicks  and  his  party,  under 
false  pretences,  swell  their  ranks  with  thousands  of 
such  dupes.  I  hope  to  see  the  day  their  eyes  are 
opened,  and  they  are  fully  conscious  of  the  game 
Jeff.  Davis  and  his  tools  make  of  them." 

"  Be  careful,  Annie,  that  you  do  not  repeat  any  of 
]Mr.  'Wilson's  remarks  out  of  the  house ;  he  says 
here  what  he  would  not  say  elsewhere.  He  is  a 
marked  man,  and,  like  your  father  and  brother,  ac- 
cused of  being  a  traitor,  for  declaring  this  war  unne- 
cessary." 

Still  later  in  the  evening  Annie  drew  to  her  moth- 
er's side,  begging  to  know  why  her  Uncle  Calvin  had, 
for  years,  shown  such  ill-will  towards  their  family. 

**  What  put  that  thought  into  your  head  to- 
night?" asked  Mrs.  McGowan,  somewhat  startled. 

''  Somethino:  wliich  Puss  Smith  said  on  leavins^, 
has  filled  my  mind  with  Col.  Hicks,  (I  like  best  to 
call  him  so,  mamma,)  and  I  have  been  wondering 
what  any  one  of  us  could  have  done  or  said,  to  have 
made  liim  such  an  enemy." 

"  It  is  a  sad,  sad  story,  my  daughter,  and  a  trial 
to  me  to  fill  yom'  young  heart  ^^dth  the  sinfulness  of 
an  uncle,  and  that  uncle  my  only  brother.  But," 
she  resumed  with  a  sigh,  "it  is,  perhaps,  well  that 

*  This  may  appear  almost  incredible  to  Northerners,  but  is 
none  the  less  a  fact,  for  I  had  it  from  the  gentleman  himself,  be- 
side others  of  a  similar  nature.  It  is  this  ignQrance  that  gives 
the  leaders  of  this  Rebellion  their  power.  —  Author. 


EYE-WITNESS.  153 

you  should  know  what  the  world  knows ;  that  m 
your  daily  supplication  at  the  throne  of  grace,  you 
may  evoke  God's  mercy  to  the  healing  of  a  soid  cor- 
rupt with  a  long-continued  course  of  sin.  Calvin, 
when  a  boy,  was  headstrong  and  passionate,  and  the 
cause  of  great  anguish  to  our  parents.  I  was  the 
only  one  who  exercised  any  control  over  him,  and 
never  entu-ely  lost  my  influence,  until  his  shameful, 
profligate  life  made  me  close  my  doors  upon  him,- and 
discard  his  image  wholly  from  my  heart.  His  wife 
died  here,  you  remember.  When  she  fled  from  the 
persecutions  of  the  slave,  who  had  usurped  the  au- 
thority, privilege,  and  affection  of  the  wife,  I  took 
her  home.  But  her  days  were  few ;  we  soon  laid 
her  side  by  side  with  the  beautiful  babes  God  had 
given,  but  in  his  mercy  removed,  before  the  sin  of 
their  father  had  tainted  their  young  lives.  Twice 
Calvin  and  your  father  were  rival  candidates  for  the 
same  ofiice  ;  your  father's  success,  and  my  meddling 
with  his  domestic  aflau's,  as  he  called  it,  is  the  cause 
of  the  relentless  animosity  he  has  shown  towards  us 
all.  He  leaves,  hoAvever,  with  his  regiment  the  day 
after  to-morrow  ;  then,  I  hope,  your  father  and  brother 
will  be  spared  the  contumely  which,  as  non-combat- 
ants, he  has  neglected  no  opportunity  to  heap  upon 
them." 

**  I  Tvdll  not  go  to  the  ball,  mamma,  for  I  am  sure 
I  shall  meet  him  there." 

**  No  indeed,  Annie,  he  has  no  taste  for  such  gay- 
eties.  It  is  my  wish  that  you  should  go  ;  if  you  are 
the  good-natured  girl  there  you  are  at  home,  I  am 
sure  your  companions  will  forget  the  prejudice  they 
have  conceived  against  you.  If  annoyed  by  their  re- 
marks, remember  the  efficacy  of  a  soft  answer,"  she 


154  EYE-WITNESS. 

added,  smoothing  the  brown  head  wliich  had  dis- 
placed the  work  in  her  lap. 

''  I  will  go,  if  you  wish  it ;  and  if  Frank  prevails 
upon  Maggie  Blout  to  return  with  him,  they  may  be 
here  in  season  to  attend  with  me." 

An  hour  later,  and  a  carriage  was  heard  upon  the 
drive.  "  Here  they  are,  now  !  "  cried  Annie,  spring- 
ing to  the  door,  to  welcome  the  travellers. 

'*Massa  Frank,  didn't  come,"  shouted  John,  and 
the  carriao^e  turned  from  the  drive  to  the  stable. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE   REVEL  —  HOW   IT     ENDED. 

**  Beautiful  being  in  robes  of  white, 
The  prettiest  nightgowns  under  the  sun  ; 
Stockingiess,  slipperless,  sit  in  the  night, 
For  the  revel  is  done." 

* '  Will  they  live  to  come  back  ?  "  and  the  weary 
head  of  the  speaker  drooped  sadly  upon  the  mantle. 

*<  Why,  Carrie,  of  com^se  they  will.  Have  you 
forgotten  Big  Bethel  fight?  " 

*'  If  the  Yankees  can't  hurt  them,  camp  fever 
may." 

*'  Oh,  ghost  of  i\Ioll  Pitcher  !  Carrie,  if  you  are 
so  timorous  a  woman,  as  to  scream  at  shadows,  you 
are  no  fit  mate  for  the  Captain.  By  the  way,  how 
well  he  looked  to-night,  and  Xed,  too ;  the  major 
seemed  to  have  jumped  from  a  nice  little  lover  to  a 
deity  to  be  worshipped." 

' '  Cousin  Xed  certainly  never  looked  better ;  and 
you  have  rewarded  him  at  length  for  his  persistent 
devotion,  Sallie?" 

*' Why,  yes,  I  suppose  so,"  and  the  heightened 
color  and  sparkling  eye  whicli  the  confession  kindled , 
chased  away  the  weariness  which  was  before  apparent 
in  the  heavy  eyelid  and  sinking  voice.  '*  Now  that 
Ned  is  really  going  away,"  she  resumed,  '*  I  feel  I 


156  EYE-WITNESS. 

shall  miss  him  wretchedly.  I  have  promised  him, 
that  I  will  keep  all  my  songs  and  smiles  until  his 
retm:n;  and  he  has  promised  me,  —  what?  Carrie, 
I  would  try  your  powers  for  divining  the  occult." 

**  To  come  back  to  claim  the  consummation  of 
vows  plighted." 

«*  More  than  that :  try  again." 

*  *  Never  to  run  from  or  allow  himself  to  be  taken 
prisoner  by  a  Yankee." 

*'  Carrie  !  "  burst  in  the  indignant  girl,  **  you  in- 
sult your  cousin !  Eun  from  a  Yankee !  Allow 
himself  to  be  taken  prisoner  !  "  and  a  scornful  laugh 
followed  the  mocking  words.  *' Think  you  he  or 
any  other  man  would  show  himself  in  my  presence 
that  ever  stepped  a  foot  from  the  path  of  Yankee 
scavengers !  Over  ihem^  is  the  road  to  Wash- 
ington ! " 

Without  waiting  for  further  conjecture  on  the  part 
of  her  companion,  and  with  the  angry  flush  still  on 
her  cheek,  she  continued, — <' He  has  promised  to 
come  as  an  Indian  warrior,  ^vith  his  wampum-belt 
decked  with  Yankee  bones,  to  lay  his  trophies  at  my 
feet,  — or  he  comes  not  at  all,  —  and  he  is  to  me  as 
though  he  were  not." 

"Monstrous!"  exclaimed  Carrie,  while  a  very 
perceptible  shudder  shook  her  lightly-draped  figure, 
''  I  hate  the  Yankees  as  much  as  you,  SalHe,  but 
I  hate  barbarity  more." 

**  My  dear,  little  fluttering  friend,  you  will  be  the 
first  to  borrow  my  Yankee  toys  !  " 

"  JSTever,  Sallie  Prue  !    Were  cousin  Ned,  or  any 
man  I  know,  to  perpetrate  such  a  wicked  deed  as  to' 
scalp   his  brother   man,  were   he  twice  the  foe   the 
Yankee  is,  I  would  rank  and  treat  him  too  as  the 


EYE-WITNESS.  157 

vilest,  the  most  bloodtliirsty  savage,  that  ever  trod 
the  earth  !  And  O,  Sallie,"  she  pleaded,  <<  Edward 
loves  you  devotedly,  passionately,  and  do  you  require 
of  him  a  sacrifice  of  honor,  manliness,  and  humanity, 
in  order  that  a  cruel  whim  may  be  gratified  ?  Dare 
you  wrest  from  the  heart,  which  you  have  made 
weak  as  a  child's,  the  noble  attributes  God  has  placed 
there,  and  send  him  out  to  the  battle-field  with  the 
scalping-knife  in  his  hand,  and  the  ferocious  passions 
of  the  savage  within  his  breast  ?  " 

"You  are  a  goosey,  Carrie,  to  run  on  so  about 
savages  and  scalping-knives.  Everything  is  fair  in 
war ;  and  if  worse  than  savages  come  out  against  us, 
tomahawk  must  meet  tomahawk,  knife  meet  knife." 

*'  Sallie,  how  can  you  talk  so  wickedly?" 

**  There,  Carrie,  dry  your  tears,  and  I  mil  talk  of 
sometliing  else,  lest  you  dream  of  death-heads,  and 
prate  of  my  depraved  taste  to  your  soldierly  lord  that 
is  to  be.  He,  by  the  way,  is  as  much  like  you,  as 
two  tears  on  pity's  cheek.  I  am  sure  you  would 
both  nm'se  a  sick  Yankee,  as.  tenderly  as  you  would 
one  of  our  own  soldiers.  As  for  the  Captain,  —  we  all 
know  he  is  a  splendid  shot,  —  should  he  bring  down 
a  dozen  of  these  Yankees,  he  would  as  quickly  throw 
away  his  gun,  rush  to  his  game,  bind  up  wounds, 
wash  faces,  and  set  the  blockheads  again  on  then'  feet ; 
then,  mth  a  polite  bow  and  encouraging  smile,  turn 
back  to  the  ranks." 

' '  Captain  Lee  is  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier ;  he 
knows  his  duty,  and  will  do  it  honorably,"  Carrie 
replied.  ''Come  now,  and  lie  down,  Sallie,  we 
have  talked  long,  and  I  am  very  weary." 

"  Not  yet.  You  go  home  to-morrow ;  this  is  our 
14 


158  EYE-WITNESS. 

last  night  together,  and  my  heart  is  in  a  flutter  to 
relieve  itself." 

'*  Of  what?" 

«« Of  what  you  said  in  the  carriage  you  wished 
I  would  not  speak  of  there." 

««  Say  on,  now  ;  there  was  one  with  us  at  the  time, 
who  might  have  been  hurt  by  your  remarks." 

'^Who?" 

''Miss  Mary  Smith." 

''Puss  Smith?  Not  she,  indeed  !  she  talks  about 
our  abolition  neighbors  as  unsparingly  as  myself." 

"  But  she  was  the  only  one,  to-night,  who  showed 
herself  friendly  to  Annie  McGowan." 

"  Were  you  in  her  set,  when  her  Uncle  Calvin  ac- 
costed her  so  ungraciously  ?  " 

"  I  was  directly  opposite  her,  and  was,  at  the  very 
moment,  admiring  her  bright  and  beautiful  face,  and 
the  perfect  simplicity  of  her  dress,  wliich  so  charm- 
ingly set  off  her  youthful  figm-e  and  graceful  move- 
mentst" 

"  Tell  me  just  what  s,he  said,  and  how  she  looked, 
wdien  she  answered  Col.  Hicks." 

"  I  saw  this  dark,  fierce-looking  Colonel  when  he 
came  into  the  hall,  and  I  was  told  afterward,  that  as 
soon  as  his  eye  rested  on  his  niece,  he  stopped  in  his 
Avalk,  and  watched  her  through  the  figure.  He  then 
walked  directly  up  to  our  set,  and  touched  her  upon 
the  shoulder.  Miss  Annie  had  been  laughing  with 
hei-  partner,  Lieut.  Smith,  but  when  she  turned  and 
saw  the  man  who  confronted  her,  her  cheek  lost  its 
beautiful  color,  and  her  girlish  face  at  once  became 
white  and  firm.  When  he  said,  '  Col.  Hicks,'  she 
bowed ;  it  was  wonderful  to  see  how  she  retained  her 
composure,  when  so  many  eyes  were  upon  her ;  but 


EZE-WITNESS.  159 

she  did,  perfectly,  even  when  he  said,  loud  enouoh 
for  us  all  to  hear,  *  When  I  left  Frank  at  Salisbury, 
he  gave  me  this,'  and  he  handed  her  a  slip  of  paper. 
Oh  !  what  a  fierce  look  he  fixed  on  her  sweet  face,  as 
she  read  those  few  words.  Eaising  her  eyes  to  those 
bent  upon  her,  she  said,  '  This  is  your  work.' 

"  It  is  my  work  to  seize  traitors,  wherever  I  find 
them ,    he  replied,  sneerino;ly. 

-  Col.  fficks,"  she  said  firmly,  ^'  if  you  have  any- 
thmg  more  to  say  to  me,  select  a  mere  suitable  place. 
You  impede  the  dance."  Then  turning  to  her  part- 
ner she  spoke  in  a  low  voice,  and  the  two  left  the 
ball.  With  a  smHe  which  made  me  loathe  the  man, 
he  watched  her  from  sight;  then  turned  on  his  heel 
and  joined  a  group  on  the  rostrum. 

In  a  few  moments,  the  news  that  Frank  McGowan 
was  m  prison  at  Salisbury,  spread  through  the  hall 
and  what  rejoicings  followed!  I  was  glad  Miss 
McGowan  had  left.  It  was  this  Miss  Smith,  or 
ii'uss  bmith,  as  you  call  her,  and  her  brother,  who  es- 
corted her  to  the  carriage.  I  afterward  lieard  Miss 
ri  '^f  P?^  contradict  many  things  that  were  said 
ot  the  JNlcGrowans,  and  openly  declare  Calvin  Hicks 
was  the  fabricator  of  every  vile  story  which  was  cir- 
culated about  the  family." 

''Well,  for  my  part,  Carrie,  I  am  not  sorry  Frank 
McG-owan  is  in  prison ;  he  is  no  coward,  I  know, 
but  those  who  will  not  come  out  and  openly  espouse 
our  cause,  must  be  against  us,  and  the  sooner  such 
people  are  out  of  harm's  wav,  the  better.  I  am 
sorry  that  Annie  should  have  heard  such  unpleasant 
news  111  the  ball-room.  But  there,  that  is  tln'owinc 
sympathy  away.  The  McGowans  are  a  proud  set! 
and,  no  doubt,  will  hold  their  heads  as  hi4  as  ever 


160  EYE-WITNESS. 

if  Frank  is  a  jail  bird.  Now,  to  change  the  subject, 
what  do  you  think  of  homespun  in  a  ball-room  ?  " 

'*I  saw,  a  short  time  since,  in  the  papers,  that 
the  belle  of set  the  fashion  there." 

*' Likely  as  not.  We've  all  got  to  come  to  it, 
thanks  to  Abe  Lincoln's  ships." 

*'Yes,  Sallie,  homespun  and  brogans  must  soon 
banish  silks  and  French  slippers." 

*'  There  is  one  comfort,  though,"  yawned  the 
sleepy  girl,  *'  the  gentlemen  are  all  away  ;  and  when 
there  is  nobody  to  admire,  who  cares  whether  one 
has  on  French  work  or  niggers." 


CHAPTER  XXn. 

THE  EFFECT  OF  THE  FIGHT  AT  MANASSAS. 

Mothers,  wives,  and  sisters,  with  exultant  hearts, 
had  seen  loved  ones  depart,  and  called  down  God's 
blessing  upon  the  cause,  which  had  clad  their  limbs 
with  steel,  and  sent  them  forth  to  the  strife  with 
*«  Sic  semper  tijrannis  "  on  their  banners,  and  *'  Lib- 
erty "  then-  battle-cry. 

Long  and  weary  clays  the  fond  watchers  looked  for 
glad  tidings,  and  as  they  came  not,  the  smile  of  ex- 
ultation faded,  and  anxious  thoughts  filled  the  minds, 
and  spectral  shadows  the  hearts  of  the  groups,  which 
gathered  in  the  streets,  or  clustered  around  saddened 
hearthstones. 

The  list  of  hospital  sick  and  the  dead,  grew  longer 
and  longer,  to  the  eyes  which  scanned  the  papers ; 
for  military  discipline,  severe  labor,  and  exposure, 
together  with  the  want  of  proper  clothing  and  whole- 
some food,  were  fast  decimating  the  ranks,  '^  invul- 
nerable to  Yankee  lead."     " 

Many,  who  had  bidden  gray  beards  and  beardless 
youths  to  the  field,  now,  in  unutterable  anguish,  be- 
moaned them  dead. 

"What  is  Washmgton,   or  New  York  to  me?" 
groaned  the  stricken  widow,  as  the  pitying  heart  of 
some  kind  neighbor  whispered  of  coming  victories. 
14* 


162       -  EYE-WITNESS. 

« '  I  bid  my  boys  go  to  kill  the  Yankees  !  "  the 
childless  mother  shrieked,  ' '  and  they  have  died  with- 
out a  shot  at  them  !  " 

'  *  If  the Yankees  don't  pitch  in  soon,"  growled 

a  fierce-looking  Breckite,  as  his  eye  run  down  the 
long  list,  *'  the  devil  will  leave  none  of  us  to  "  —  the 
paper  fell  to  the  floor,  while  a  fearful  groan  issued 
from  his  lips  writhing^  in  agony:  '*Dead!  de:id ! 
John  and  BUI  dead,  and  no  fight  yet !  " 

What  followed,  smote  the  mother's  ear,  hastening 
to  her  husband's  side  for  news  from  the  boys.  In 
that  mother's  heart  there  Avas  a  love  for  the  "  Stars 
and  Stripes,"  which  nothing  could  efface  ;  and  on  her 
knees  she  thanked  God  and  wept  tears  of  joy,  that  her 
sons  had  been  taken  before  then-  young  lives  were 
stained  with  a  brother's  blood,  —  that,  though  they 
had  carried  the  sword  to  cut  down  the  noble  flag,  He 
had  smitten  the  upraised  arm,  and  taken  the  mis- 
guided ones  from  further  contact  with  earth's  sinful- 
ness. "  ^lay  the  Lord  and  Giver  of  life  protect  the 
right,"  was  the  unceasing  prayer  of  that  Christian 
mother. 

The  long  night  of  suspense  was  over.  "  Our  loss 
is  heavy,  but  our  cause  is  won,"  was  flashed  with 
lightning  rapidity  throughout  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  young  Confederacy.  Shouts  and  shrieks  of 
frenzied  joy  rent  the  air.  Stores  Avere  closed,  houses 
deserted,  and  duties  forgotten.  Friend  met  friend,  — 
''  We  are  free,"  leaped  from  every  eye  and  every 
tongue ;  while  each  footfall  rung  out  a  note  of  vic- 
toiy. 

' '  Twenty  thousand  Yankees  dead  !  "  was  the 
morning  salute ;  high  noon  sounded  ' '  Forty  thou- 
sand   of  the  Vandals   killed  !  "  but    nightfall  came 


EYE-WITNESS.  1G3 

down  with  the  tale:  «*  The  Grand  Army  of  the 
Potomac  crippled  to  a  man  !  —  a  hundred  thousand 

stands    of  arms  taken  !      Washington    deserted, 

and  General  Scott  a  prisoner  of  the  "  warrior  Presi- 
dent," who,  in  a  hand  to  hand  fight,  had  vanquished 
tlie  invincible  hero  of  the  iS^orth  f" 

***** 
*'  Dixie  forever  !     The  :N"orth  is  ours  !  "  came  to 
tlie  strained  ears  and  fiercely-beating  hearts,  that  in 
damp  and  filthy  cells,  at  the  iron-barred  windows, 
and  in  deep  and  noisome  swamps,  heard. 

High  o'er  the  *'  Te  Deum  Laudamus,"  which  came 
from  Potomac's  shore,  and  swelling,  thundered  o'er 
the  lowlands  of  tlxe  Gulf,  rose  the  piercing  wail  of 
these  crushed  and  bleedino^  ones  —  < '  God  have  mercv 
on  us  !  "  ^ 


*«  The  young  Ship  of  State  "  with  pennons  of  vic- 
tory at  the  mast-head,  and  proud  banners  flung  to 
the  breeze,  now  rode  triumphantly  upon  the  tide  of 
popular  favor.  Souls,  that  had  looked  with  fear  and 
trembling  upon  the  headlong,  impetuous  crew,  which 
thronged  her  decks,  no  longer  doubting,  with  loud 
acclaim  crowd  her  sides. 

The  launch  was  simply  magnificent ;  the  dangerous 
reef  passed  safely  over,  the  helmsman,  witlfcalm, 
majestic  mien  tm^ns  to  the  joy-kindled  throng,  which 
press  around,  and  in  tones  which  constrain  belief, 
says  :  — 

"  The  goal  is  won  !  Fear  not  the  ship,  my  boys. 
She  carries  C^sar  !  " 


Days  wore  on.     Newspapers  teemed  with  glorious 


164  EYE-WITNESS. 


^ 


achievements  and  wonderful  valor  displayed  by  brig- 
ades, regiments,  companies,  and  individuals  :  there 
also  was  the  sickenins;  detail  of  dead  and  wounded. 

From  the  Chief  ^Magistrate  had  come  —  ' '  our  loss 
is  heavy ;  "  the  mourners  at  home  believed  it,  al- 
though the  crowds  upon  the  street  swore  it  was 
nothing,  a  mere  di'op  in  the  bucket,  compared  to 
Yankee  slauo-hter. 

And  in  fulness  of  time  it  was  known  also  that 
Wasliington  was  not  taken,  nor  Xew  York  threat- 
ened ;  and  more  ;  —  the  smoke  of  the  fagots  Avhich 
were  piled  high  for  the  base  deserters,  once  Virginia's 
proud  boast,  refused  to  ascend,  though  expectant 
hearts  called  loudly  for  the  torch  to  be  applied. 

England  and  France  heard  of  the  unprecedented 
success  of  Southern  arms,  and  of  the  overwhelming 
defeat  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Still,  no  tidings 
of  the  recognition  of  the  * '  Young  League  "  by  those 
mighty  nations,  came  to  the  hearts,  which  with  terri- 
ble earnestness  watched  for  them.  Consequently  the 
most  credulous  dropped  the  voice,  and  lifted  not  the 
foot  so  high ;  and  a  moderation  of  self-assurance 
finally  settled  down  into  something  like  despondency. 


CHAPTEE  XXm. 

VISITORS   TO    THE    MINERAL   SPRINGS. 

Once  more  the  streets  were  thronged  with  volun- 
teers, and  wealth  was  lavishly  poured  into  a  depleted 
treasury ;  while  earnest  women  plied  the  needle  and 
robbed  homes  of  needful  comforts  for  those  whose 
work  was  not  yet  done. 

Places  of  fashionable  resort  were  for  the  most  part 
abandoned ;  and  sea-breezes  and  all  the  allurements 
of  the  visiting  season  forgotten  ;  for  a  stern  and  inex- 
orable duty  was  upon  men  and  women. 

The  sick  could  not  work,  so  waters  of  healing 
must  be  resorted  to;  and  officers  from  the  Gulf 
States  also  sought  for  their  families  a  home,  where  a 
short  furlough  from  the  field  of  action  could  be 
enlivened  by  the  presence  of  heart-idols. 

The  ''  Home,"  *  situated  amid  the  hills  of  Western 
North  Carolina,  celebrated  alike  for  the  medicinal 
properties  of  its  Springs,  and  the  beauty  of  its 
scenery,  and  as  its  site  commanded  direct  communi- 
cation with  Richmond,  which  was  but  twelve  hours 
ride,  was  doomed  to  a  most  uncomfortable  notoriety. 
Most  propitiously  the  season  of  1861  opened  for  the 
proprietors,  but  distressingly  incommodious  for  the 
many,  who,  wasted  by  disease,  toiled  there. 

*  The  KitreU  Spring,  N.  0. 


166  EYE-WITNESS. 

Amid  its  crowded  halls  and  spacious  parlors  we 
wend  our  way,  and,  with  unqualified  pleasure,  feed 
our  eyes  upon  a  few  superlatively  beautiful  represen- 
tatives from  the  Gulf  States.  Haughty,  but  of  ex- 
quisite mould,  these  black-eyed  beauties  fascinate, 
dazzle,  and  bewilder ;  rich  in  all  the  world  calls 
wealth,  their  every  look  and  movement  command  the 
homage  of  the  eye,  but  not  of  the  heart.  By  the 
side  of  the  Mississippi  belle,  Tennessee,  Georgia,  and 
even  Xorth  Carolina's  daughters  suffer  no  disparage- 
ment, because  less  imperious.  Comet  like,  these 
beautiful  beings  flash  upon  us,  then  are  lost  amid  the 
crowd  of  matronly  women,  invalids,  and  boisterous 
children. 

And  gentlemen  were  not  a  few;  judges,  lawyers, 
and  planters,  too  old  for  active  service,  having  given 
their  sons  and  wealth  for  liberty,  sat  down  in  the 
pleasant  "Home,"  to  greet  the  coming  of  the  day, 
whose  dawn  was  kindling  the  Southern  sky.  Bach- 
elors gay,  and  those  too  crabbed  and  crotchety,  whose 
want  of  a  wife  w^as,  for  the  first  time,  keenly  felt, 
(should  master  and  overseer  be  called  into  the  field 
without  a  head,  those  *'  held  to  labor  "  might  enact  a 
scene,  detrimental,  at  least,  to  the  master's  interest,) 
gathered  there.  The  young  and  pretty  passed  them 
by  w^ith  a  sneer  ;  elderly  maidens  alone  laughed  gen- 
tly, as  the  shuffling  gait  and  wheezy  breath  announced 
the  approach  of  lovers 

"  At  least,  -vvell-grown, 
Who  used  lavender  water  and  eau  de  cologne." 

With  night  and  dancing,  officers  came  from  camp 
near.     Of  them  little  can  be  said,  as  not  merit,  but 


EYE-WITNESS.  1G7 

political  influence  and  the  ability  to  raise  recruits,  was 
the  standard  by  which  rank  was  distributed. 

With  the  greater  part  of  the  gentler  sex,  industry 
marks  the  hour.  Earnestly  old  and  young  lend  them- 
selves to  the  cutting  and  making  of  garments,  and 
the  lighter  work  of  knitting,  for  the  destitute  sick, 
who,  in  canvass  tents,  witliin  sight  of  the  ''  Home," 
are  dying  by  scores.  Hands  soft  and  white  and 
sparkling  wdth  jewels  draw  the  coarse  thread,  or  wind 
the  cotton,  laboriously  turn  the  slow  needles. 

"See  my  sock,  mamma!  all  that  done,  (the  ail 
consisted  of  an  inch  and  a  quarter  of  very  bubbly 
knitting,)  and  but  just  one  week  about  it !  " 

The  needles  are  twisted  firmly  together,  the  huge 
ball  is  stuck  on,  and  the  blooming  belle,  with  a  sigh 
of  relief  that  the  task  for  the  day  —  three  needles 
and  a  half —  is  over,  calls  for  her  hat  and  cup  for  the 
morning's  walk  to  the  Spring.  The  pmk  on  her  cheek 
deepens ;  is  it  the  consciousness  of  an  effort  made  to 
aid  her  barefooted  countrymen  which  thrills  her  heart 
and  kindles  blushes  ?  Ah,  no  !  From  the  lofty 
window  her  eye  catches  the  dashing  approach  of  offi- 
cers, imposing  with  gold  lace  and  gay  plumes,  and 
splendidly  mounted  upon  richly  caparisoned  steeds. 
Xow  the  call  for  maids  is  stunning.  With  the  speed 
of  blackbh'ds  at  the  crack  of  the  hunter's  rifle,  small 
black  forms  skim  the  lofty  stauxases,  and  return  with 
gloves,  gossamer  veils,  and  the  jauntiest  hats  imag- 
inable ;  a  little  out  of  style,  but  n^importe,  no  Xew 
Yorker  was  there  to  criticize. 

Hasty  words  bring  hasty  acts ;  and  hasty  acts 
hasty  blows.  The  ribbon  is  tied  too  tight,  and  the 
panting  maid  measures  her  length  upon  the  floor ; 


168  EYE-WITNESS. 

while  "  You  nigger,  you  pinch  me  again,  and  you 
shall  have  the  lash  !  "  cries  the  enraged  mistress. 

*'  Oh!  pray,  missis!  "  the  glove  is  torn;  too 
much  haste  again  ;  and  the  torture  which  the  young 
mulatto  suffers,  proves  conclusively,  that  the  small, 
delicate  fingers  which  could  not  knit  could  pinch  — 
prodigiously  ! 

Hats  and  gloves  are  donned  at  last ;  and  now  down 
the  la\vn,  on  through  the  beautiful  grove,  creatures  of 
beauty  and  soldierly  mien  stroll ;  the  musical  fall  of 
water,  blending  with  martial  strains,  which  sweep 
down  from  the  camps,  scattering  every  despairing 
sense  of  the  horrors  of  war,  which,  with  funereal 
gloom,  is  settling  over  their  young  heads ;  a  war 
which  is  to  scar  the  hearts  of  the  sm'vivors  Avith  life- 
long misery. 

Proudly  boastful  of  future  halcyon  days,  breathing 
in  the  charming  aroma  of  the  laurel-leaf  crown, 
Fame's  glowing  hand  holds  temptingly  near  —  yoit^ 
who,  in  soldier  garb,  tell  of  a  field  where  imperishable 
glory  is  to  be  won  —  dream  on  !  Pitying  heaven 
curtains  from  sight  the  ghastly  horrors  of  the  battle- 
field, where,  smeared  with  thy  o^vn  blood,  stiffening 
and  clammy  with  the  dews  of  death,  —  God  calleth  ! 


CHAPTEE   XXIV. 

THE  DEATH  AXD  BURIAL  OF  AX  OFFICER. 

It  was  night,  but  no  sound  of  revelry  came  from 
the  brilliantly  lighted  ball-room.  A  holy  hush  per- 
vaded the  entire  house,  while  grief  and  weariness 
were  legible  on  the  faces  of  old  and  young,  who, 
seated  in  groups,  talked  of  the  solemnity  of  a  sol- 
dier's burial  that  day  witnessed. 

An  officer,  on  his  way  to  the  ball,  given  at  the 
"Home"  on  the  previous  night,  had  been  thrown 
from  his  horse  and  killed  instantly.  A  favorite  with 
his  men,  and  no  less  popular  with  the  ladies,  his 
death  was  deeply  deplored  in  camp  and  parlor.  Re- 
port said,  his  father  was  a  Union  man,  and  disowned 
his  son  when  he  took  up  arms  against  the  Federal 
Government.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  deceased  had 
exacted  the  promise  from  a  brother  officer,  that,  if  he 
should  survive  him,  his  body  should  be  buried  where 
he  fell,  and  his  sword,  his  only  love,  laid  by  his 
side. 

"  To  think,"  exclaimed  a  young  lady  to  her 
brother,  who  had  just  arrived,  then  on  his  way 
to  Virginia  to  join  his  regiment,  "  of  any  man  being 
so  inhuman  as  to  deny  this  young  soldier  a  grave ; 
giving  an  excuse,  that  niggers  could  not  be  made  to 
work  on  land  where  dead  men  lay.     The  planter  was 

15 


170  EYE-WITNESS. 

away  at  tlie  time  the  grave  was  dug,  but  returned 
just  before  the  burial,  and  stubbornly  refused  to 
permit  the  interment.  When  ^ve  arrived  at  the 
camp,  we  heard  of  this  monstrous  meanness,  and 
that  a  spot  had  been  found  nearly  three  miles  distant, 
where  the  body  could  be  laid. 

' '  Did  you  ladies  follow  in  the  procession  that  dis- 
tance, in  such  a  broiling  heat  as  we  have  experienced 
to-day?" 

*'  Certainly,"  chorused  the  group,  to  whom  the 
question  was  addressed: 

"But  with  no  very  charitable  feelings,  I  assure 
you,  said  a  Wilmington  ]Miss.  "  Every  sentiment. of 
grief  and  respect  for  the  dead  was  swallowed  up  in 
wrath,  as  we  toiled  through  the  almost  interminable 
cotton-patch,  and  over  the  low  ground  to  the  limit  of 
that  execrable  creature's  land.  I  would  stake  my 
fortune,  that  the  man  has  Yankee  blood  in  him. 
But  here  is  Mrs.  Davis,*  approaching;  she  has  lived 
Xorth,  and  knows  more  of  the  Yankees,  than  tiie 
rest  of  us.  See  if  she  does  n't  say  such  a  piece  of 
barbarity  is  on  par  with  all  their  actions." 

*'  Xot  so,  my  young  fricaids,"  the  lady  addressed, 
replied.  "  There  are  bad  men  to  be  found  every- 
where :  the  North,  comparatively  speaking,  has  no 
more  than  the  South. 

"  But  all  Northerners  are  fanatics,"  persisted  the 
young  lady. 

"  Many  of  our  people  entertain  the  idea  that  they 
are,  but  it  is  an  erroneous  one,"  was  the  reply. 
*«  There  is  a  party  North,  made  up  of  men,  scrupu- 
lously observant  of  the  rights  granted  us  by  the  Con- 

*  Mrs.  Jeff.  Davis. 


EYE-AVITJNESS.  171 

stitution ;  they  are  at  present,  impotent  to  aid  iis, 
but  their  determined  resistance  to,  and  abhorrence  of 
the  outrages  of  those,  who  to  gain  their  infamous 
ends  would  trample  under  foot  every  human  and 
divine  law,  we  hope  will  ultimately  succeed  in  check- 
ing the  frenzy  of  the  hour." 

"  I  see  by  the  faces  of  these  yoimg  ladies,  my  dear 
madam,"  said  Judge  Green,  joining  the  group, 
*'  that  there  is  a  bitter  even  in  the  sweetness,  which 
your  lips  distil.  May  I  ask,  what  your  remark  was, 
which  has  banished  smiles  and  caused  this  brilliant 
parterre  of  blooms  to  droop  their  delicate  heads  ?  " 

Before  the  now  smiling  lady  could  reply,  she  was 
called  away  by  a  servant. 

**  Papa,"  said  a  curly-headed  girl,  springing  to  his 
side,  and  placing  her  plump  hand  in  his,  "  the  lady 
says  there  are  some  good  men  Xorth,  and  that  is 
what  makes  us  all  look  so  sober." 

"  Good  men  North,  my  little  daughter !  You 
certainly  misunderstood  her." 

"But  she  did.  Judge;  and  although  I  have  all 
proper  respect  for  Mrs.  Davis's  opinion,  I  cannot 
think  but  in  this  assertion  she  is  egregiously  mis- 
taken." 

"Then  I  see  all  my  young  friends,  here,  believe 
with  me  in  the  total  depravity  of  the  North." 

"  "VYe  do,  we  do!"  chorused  a  dozen  voices. 
"  And  instead  of  whipping  us  into  submission,  we 
have  thrashed  them  all  soundly,  and  sent  them  to 
beds  of  torture  and  repentance." 

*'  Yes,  yes,"  laughed  the  group. 

"  God,  in  signal- mercy  shown  us,  has  spared  the 
*  Old  North  State '  the  foulness  the  Yankees  have 
heaped  upon  the  once  honored  cities  and  towns  of 
Maryland  and  Virginia,"  said  Francis  Bierce,  who 


172  EYE-WITNESS. 

with  his  wife  had  been  attracted  to  the  spot  by  the 
merriment  Judge  Green's  words  aroused. 

''  Judge,"  says  another  of  the  group,  '*  have  you 
no  faith  in  the  report,  that  the  sound  we  hear  from 
Northern  shores,  is  no  death-rattle,  but  rather  the 
premonitory   signal  of  a  deadly  spring?  " 

*' Faith,  no  Captain.  It's  folly,  consummate 
folly,  to  waste  a  thought  upon  "such  twattle.  I  tell 
you  we  are  done  with  the  Yankees,  now  and  for- 
ever ! " 

**  I  can't  agree  with  you,  Judge,  knowing  the 
vindictiveness,  the  stick-to-a-tive-ness  of  the  Yan- 
kees. I  know,  I  feel  it  too,  that  before  our  liberty  is 
achieved,  there  must  be,  not  a  battle,  —  but  bat- 
tles? " 

*'  i^onsense,  Captain,  you  talk  like  a  child  !  I 
tell  you  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac  is  wholly 
demoralized ;  the  energies  of  the  North  completely 
paralyzed.  (More  vehemently,)  — Don't  talk  to  me 
about  the  commotion  going  on  among  the  Yankees  ; 
I  tell  you  sprawling  children  always  holler." 

'«  Ah  !  Judge,"  was  the  rejoinder,  '*  you  know  no 
more  of  the  North  as  a  people,  than  I  of  the  Hottentots. 
Live  with  them  as  I  have,  then  you  will  believe,  as 
I,  that  not  one  blow,  nor  two,  nor  a  score,  such  as 
we  gave  them  at  Bull  Eun,  will  make  them  cry 
*' enough."  I  know  no  better  illustration  of  their 
dogged  obstinacy,  than  tlie  habits  of  the  Arctic 
puffin,  which  naturalists  tell  us,  when  once  it  has 
grasped  a  thing  will  suffer  being  dra"v\Ti  from  its  hole, 
its  limbs  torn  from  its  body,  and  every  torture 
which  can  be  practised  upon  it,  "but  never  let  go; 
death  only  releases  the  coveted  prize.  It  is  just  so 
with  the  Yankees.  Before  the  pangs  of  death-telling 
blows  have  subsided,  lo  !  four  men  will  take  the  place 


EYE^WITJraSS.  173 

of  the  one  shot  down,  and  billions  will  be  held  oat, 
with  eager  hands,  where  millions  were  proffered." 

''What  good  did  Darius'  wealth,  and  countless 
numbers  do  him,  Captain  Selden?"  said  a  weakly 
voice.  ''We  are  but  a  handful  compared  to  the 
Xorth,  but  omnipotent,  because  we  have  right  on  our 
side." 

"Eight,  madam,  right!  Our  friend.  Captain 
Selden,  will  do  his  duty  in  the  field,  we  all  know; 
but  say,  ladies,  would  it  not  be  more  becoming  his 
rank,  if  he  would  lay  down  his  pair  of  double  mSlion 
magnifying  gas  microscopes  of  hextra  power,  of  Sam 
Weller's  patent,  and  let  common  sense  tino-e  his  proo- 
nostics  ?  "  o  i     o 

"I  will,  I  will!"  laughed  the  jolly  Captain. 
"  But  first  promise  me,  you  will  buckle  on  the  sword, 
if  a  nest  of  the  vermin  should  be  blown  to  o  -r 
shores." 

^  "  Judge  Green,"  said  a  lady  on  his.  right,  tapping 
his  hand^with  her  delicate  fan,  "papa  thinks  a1 
Captain  Selden,  that  the  worst  of  the  fighting  is  to 
come.  He  says,  every  man  in  the  South  wilf  be  in 
the  field  before  we  gain  our  freedom." 

"  Who  is  that  young  lady  ?  "  whispered  the  even- 
ing traveller  to  his  sister,  du-ecting  her  attention 
to  the  speaker. 

"  General  Hill's  daughter;  the  General's  word  is 
of  course  recognized  authority ;  but  if  I  were  :\Iiss 
Hill,  I  would  keep  such  sentiments  to  myself;  they 
certainly  unpair  her  popularity  here." 

"  But  ought  not.  I  like  her;  she  is  honest  and 
outspoken,"  was  the  reply. 

"My  dear  Miss  Hill,''  said  the  Judge,  "  no  one 
has  a  more  exalted  opinion  of  your  father's  abihty  as 

15* 


174  EYE-WITNESS . 

a  general,  and  his  devotedness  to  our  cause,  than  my- 
self. Consider  it,  therefore,  no  disparagement  upon 
his  great  and  acknowledged  generalship,  when  I  add, 
we  cannot  take  every  word  which  he  utters  as 
oracles;"  and  then  toUI!aptain  Seiden,  —  *'Well,  if 
we  admit  that  our  present  force  may  be  called  into 
the  field  and  cat  to  pieces,  we  have  a  reserve,  which 
cannot  be  conquered.  Two  millions  of  slaves,  armed, 
would  be  invincible,  whatever  the  opposing  force." 

"  Such  a  reserve  can  never  be  brought  into  the 
field  !  never.  Judge,  never  !  " 

' '  It  can  !  I  maintain  it  can  !  I  myself  have  four 
hundred  negroes,"  said  the  Judge,  rising  and  laying 
his  hand  forcibly  upon  the  captain's  shoulder,  "  and 
what  is  more,"  he  continued,  with  increasing  vehe- 
mence, ''  there  is  not  one  of  them  but  would  stand 
by  me,  while  there  was  a  drop  of  blood  in  my  veins, 
and  fight  like  demons  over  my  dead  body  I " 

'*  I  haven't  a  quarter  of  that  number.  Judge 
Green,  and  I  am  called  an  easy  master ;  now  I  speak 
what  I  know,  when  I  say  not  one  of  my  negroes,  but 
would  make  good  his  escape,  should  the  way  be  open 
to  the  North." 

The  disputants  had  gradually  withdrawn  from  the 
group  of  ladies,  and  as  the  debate  waxed  warmer,  a 
crowd  began  to  collect ;  and,  what  was  noticeable, 
the  Captain,  who  with  one  frail  girl,  stoutly  persisted 
in  the  peril  of  the  hour,  and  openly  rebuked  the 
exaggerated  self-confidence  of  his  associates,  was 
heavily  reinforced,  when  the  practicability  of  arm- 
ing the  negroes  was  discussed,  by  stout  hearts,  that 
spurned  the  slave  unarmed,  but  feared  him  as  a  fam- 
ished tiger,  when  cold  iron  gave  him  the  power 
of  self-assertion. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

NEWS   FE03I   WASHINGTON". 

**  Oh  !  the  torment  of  little  things  I  Hateful  Yan- 
kees !  "  cries  the  beautiful  pianist,  as  she  pulls  up  the 
key  which  would  not  sound;  "  no  piano,  no  music, 
nothing  !  all  for  you  !  " 

From  lips  white  with  anger  the  goblet  is  dashed, 
and  the  water  (uniced)  is  splashed  upon  the  marble 
slab. 

Pianos,  purchased  to  replace  cracked  kettle-drums, 
went  baclc  instead  of  into  Southern  ports.  Ice  (and 
what  is  life  South  without  ice)  had  been  shipped  for 
Southern  markets  ;  so  had  medicine,  for  the  want  of 
which  chills  and  fever,  bilious  and  typhoid,  raged 
unmitigated  ;  but  Abe  Lincoln's  ships,  bristling  with 
guns  and  manned  by  desperate  men,  stopped  the 
way. 

Therefore,  tepid  water  must  be  drunk ;  and  the  eye 
followed  the  flow  of  butter  in  amber  streams  from 
pitchers.  Songs  rose  loud  and  clear,  but  no  effbrts 
of  the  gifted  sono-stress  could  drown  the  discordant 
accompaniment,  which  carried  one  back  to  the  haunted 
chambers  of  youth's  distenjpered  fancy.  For  want 
of  strings,  harps  and  guitars  lay  by,  unswept ;  and 
oh,  sad,  sad  words  !  fever  patients  and  ague  subjects, 
racked  with  pain,  then  pale  and  languishing,  dreamed 


176  EYE- WITNESS. 

of  quinine  and  soothinc^  cordials,  and  woke  to  curse 
the  light  which  tortured  them,  the  darkness  which 
strengthened  their  pangs,  to  curse  the  Xorth  and 
die. 


The  piano  has  stopped.  Music,  talking,  and  even 
heart-burnings  are  stayed,  for  the  Evening  Post,  just 
brought  in,  teems  with  good  news. 

"  Overtures  of  peace  from  Vrashington  !  "  shouts 
the  portly   Judge  Green,  bouncing  from  his  chau' ; 

"  I  told  you  so  ;  all  right.  Captain ;  to  dictate 

our  own  terms,  too.  Ha !  ha !  ha !  Dixie  has 
blown  up  a  storm  which  has  capsized  Uncle  Sam's 
old  craft !  See  the  old  hull !  she's  unshipped  her  helm, 
her  sails  are  torn,  her  seams  open  to  the  engulphing 
waves.  Hark  !  here's  a  signal  gun  of  distress  !  Let 
the  rotten  old  craft  go  down  amid  the  breakers  which 
have  stove  her ;  and  woe  to  the  man,  woman,  or  cliiid 
that  throws  a  rope  or  a  spar,  to  save  the  drowning 
wretches  ! " 

Amen  !  v^as  the  hearty  response. 

The  excited  man  read  extract  after  extract  from 
the  New  York  Herald,  and  here's  another  "hear, 
hear,"  and  the  no  less  excited  crowd  cheer  and  clap, 
then  listen  in  breathless  silence,  and  then  cheer  ajrain 
for  Dixie,  as  extracts  from  Northern  papers  fill  their 
eager  ears. 

The  demonstrations  of  exultant  delii^ht,  which  fol- 
lowed  the  reading  of  the  "  papers,"  whose  verity  few 
doubted,  have,  in  a  measure,  subsided,  and  now, 
singly  or  in  groups,  the  visitors  at  the  "  Home  "  lend 
themselves  to  the  coveted  papers  wliich  bear  the  long- 
expected  tidings,  "Peace  sueing,"  the  recognition  of 
the  "  Southern  Confederacy." 


EYE-WITNESS.  177 

When  Judge  Green,  to  the  astonishment  of  every 
one,  read  from  a  Southern  paper,  —  the  Post,  — 
while  great  drops  of  sweat  stand  out,  bead-like,  upon 
his  flushed  face,  (a  very  safe  channel  for  the  exuber- 
ance of  such  joy  to  vent  itself,)  the  programme  to  a 

new  play  which  has  just  been  brought  out,  at , 

called,  '' Picayune  Butler,  is  coming  out  to-night, 
Crowded  houses,  Tremendous  excitement !  "  &c.  c&c. 

"  You  all  know  Picayune  Butler,"  cries  the  Judge, 
*'  the  meanest  of  all  men,  — ladies,  your  presence  for- 
bids my  expressing  a  more  emphatic  opinion  of  the 
*  Knave.'" 

**  The  programme  reads,  1st  part  —  Picayune 
Butler  is  represented  in  league  with  the  '  Devil  and 
imps,'  for  the  possession  of  *  Booty  and  Beauty,' 
of  a  fair  Southern  city.  A  contract  is  di-awn  up,  by 
which  Butler  receives  the  services  of  his  horned  com- 
peer.    Butler  plans,  the  cloven-foot  gently  executes. 

* '  Part  2d  —  The  barricades  of  the  city  are 
shaken  as  if  by  an  earthquake.  Butler  looks  on  and 
smiles,  (as  the  way  is  cleared  for  him  to  march  in 
and  take  possession.)  *  It  is  mine,'  cries  the  mad 
man,  as  his  eyes  gloat  over  the  beauty  and  gold  the 
doomed  city  discloses.  '  Not  so,'  cries  the  *  Prince 
of  darkness  ; '  '  one  such  soul  as  thine  I  must  have. 
So  reads  the  compact :  I  have  gone  from  ocean  to 
ocean,  from  heights  of  the  mountains  to  the  lowest 
depth  of  the  valleys,  yet  I  have  not  found  one  such 
as  thee.'  '  Did'st  find  none  at  Wheatland  ?' gasped 
Butler,  writhing  with  torture  as  the  gripe  which 
held  him  tightened  upon  his  flesh.  '  And  shall  I  buy 
what  is  mine  own?  Not  so  reads  the  compact.  Go 
thou,  and  seek  a  soul  like  thine ;  Til  hold  the  city.' 

"Part  3d  —  Butler  goes  and   returns,  and   goes 


178  EYE- WITNESS. 

again.  '  Xot  such  as  tldne,''  was  the  stern  reply, 
while  weary  and  worn  with  much  watching,  *  goin' 
to  and  fro  the  earth,'  the  icatchman  sleepeth,  but 
awakes  to  find  himself  shorn  of  his  tail,  horns,  and 
cloven-foot,  which  the  wily  Butler  had  appropriated. 
'  Die  ! '  cries  the  new  beast,  as  he  bends  over  him ; 

*  thou  my  master  ?  earth  nor  hell  has  no  match  for 
thee,' ,  cries  the  defenceless  compeer.  The  keys  of 
the  bottomless  pit  and  thy  life  is  spared,'  says  his 
master. 

"  Part    4th  —  Then  follows  the  descent  of  the 

*  Great  new  beast'  into  the  infernal  regions,  there 
to  bind  his  servant,  and  whom  else  he  pleases,  while 
he  ravishes  the  earth. 

"  Part  5th  —  The  curtain  rises,  for  the  last  time, 
uj)on  a  man  loathsome  and  haggard,  hideous  to  look 
upon,  chained  to  an  iron  staple  in  his  cell.  *  I  have 
dreamed  !  '  he    cries,  shaking  his   manacled  hands  ; 

*  aye  !  dreamed  that  earth  and  hell  were  mine  ;  that 
such  as  I  earth  would  not  bind,  nor  hell  restrain. 
But  Dixie  !  Dixie  !  Dixie  !  '  in  ao'onizino:  tones, 
came  from  those  dying  lips  ;  '  What  heaven  nor 
hell  could  do,  thou  hast  done  ! '  Under  the  door, 
bread  and  water  !  and  the  mad  man,  frensied  with 
want,  clanked  his  chains,  and,  in  paroxysms  of  rage, 
bites  his  flesh.  '  Booty  and  Beauty,'  laughs  the 
jailer  at  the  grated  window,  while  the  sparkling  glass 
and  wheaten  loaf  are  lifted  high.  The  glaring  eye- 
balls and  gibbering  lips  devours  the  sight.  '  Give  ! 
give  !  '  and  skeleton  hands  claw  the  air.  '  Booty 
and  Beauty '  rings  through  the  lowest  depths  of 
'  Castle  Thunder  !  '  The  glass  and  bread  left  in 
tempting  sight,  the  jailer  flo^AH.  As  Death  ^Iraws 
near,  Reason  kindles  the  glassy  eye.     It  turns  from 


EYE-WITNESS .  179 

the  fearful  wreck,  the  fleshless  bones,  to  the  breast  in 
the  grated  window.  The  trembling  lips  unclose  — 
'  Woman,  thou  art  avenged  !  '  A  groan,  a  -shud- 
der, and  the  lifeless  form  fails  to  the  earth." 

A  burst  of  overwhelming  applause  followed  the 
reading  of  the  programme. 

"To  die  and  be  eaten  of  worms,  is  too  mild  a 
death  for  such  a  monster.  Let  him  set  foot  on  the 
soil  of  my  honored  State,  and  tortures,  and  death 
that  he  dreams  not  of,  await  him." 

*'  Well  spoken  for  you,  Bierce,"  said  a  voice  from 
the  crowd.  But  if  he  should  light  upon  us  some  day, 
what  would  you  do  ?  " 

"Take  him  prisoner,  of  course;  then  hand  him 
Over  to  the  ladies  to  dispose  of." 

"  But,  my  dear  husband,"  said  Mrs.  Bierce,  "you 
know  I  should  not  let  you  go  out  to  meet  such  a 
piece  of  abomination ;  you  meant  you  would  detail 
your  niggles  to  do  the  vile  work." 

"  Of  course,  wife,  I  am  but  joking;  the  infamous 
Butler  is  dead,  without  question." 

"Hear!^  Hear!"  cries  Judge  Green;  "  I  am 
chosen  chairman  of  tlie  committee  of  arrangements 
to  take  the  young  ladies,  to-morrow  night,  to  witness 
the  grand  play  of  '  Picayune  Butler  coming  out  to- 
night.'     What  gentlemen  oiFer  their  services  ?  " 

The  list,  soon  swelled  to  some  length,  was  read  by 
Capt.  Selden,  very  deliberately,  and  then  handed 
back  to  Miss  Green. 

"  Your  name,  of  course,  I  shall  put  down?  " 

"  Not  so,  madam." 

"You  surely  will  not  deny  us- the  pleasure  of 
your  company  ?  " 

* '  I  have  not  the  slightest  desire  to  see  this  sham 
Butler:' 


180  EYE-WITNESS. 

*«  It  will  be  a  pleasing  relaxation  from  camp 
duty." 

*' I  find  all  I  need  here." 

*' Ridiculous  !  Captain,  say  you  will  go;  see,  I 
have  your  name  down  ;  and  don't  plead  camp  duties 
an  excuse  for  not  seeing  the  Yankee  Butler  give  up 
the  ghost." 

*'If  you  please,  strike  off  my  name  from  your 
list,  my  young  friend,  and  put  it  on  the  roll  where 
Ben  Butler,  if  he  lives,  is  to  be  found.  1  would  like 
to  meet  him  face  to  face  in  the  field." 

<  *  What !  meet  that  execrable  monster  ?  " 

*  *  Meet  him  ?  yes  ;  if  he  i^  the  coward  report  says 
he  is,  he  is  mine  ;  if  a  soldier,  and  better  armed  than 
myself,  I  may  be  his." 

<  *  Don't  speak  of  it ;  I  should  shudder  at  the  very 
thought  of  such  an  encounter,  if  I  did  not  know  that 
the  vile  creature  was  dead,  and  buried  out  of  sight." 

« *  How  do  you  know  that  ?  " 

**  Not  seeing  his  name  paraded  before  the  public  is 
proof  infallible  that  tlie  Yankees  have  permitted  one 
of  their  gods  to  sleep." 

*'If  that  is  the  case,  I  see  no  cause  in  heaping 
such  imprecations  on  Ben  Butler ;  he  is  the  least  of 
all  the  rascals  that  has  brought  this  trouble  upon  us  ; 
look  to  the  masters,  not  to  the  monkey  and  dogs, 
that  have  been  taught  bloody  tlieft,  if  you  would  put 
a  stop  to  such  depredations." 

**Do,  mamma,  come  here,"  said  the  fair  pleader 
to  an  elderly  lady  w^ho  was  passing  ;  ' '  Captain  Sel- 
den  refuses  to  go  to  — to-morrow,  to  witness  the  great 
play.  I  must  go  on  with  my  list ;  will  leave  him  in 
your  hands,  and  do  you  mould  him  to  my  will." 

**  I  am  glad  to  hold  some  conversation  with  you, 
Captain." 


EYE-WITNEISS.  181 

*'  Speak  on,  madam." 

«'  I  have  imbomicled  confidence  in  your  judgment." 

**  Yes,  madam,  but  what  would  you  say?  "  Tak- 
ing the  proffered  chair,  his  interlocutor  resumed : 
*'  I  am  much  disheartened  to  know,  if  the  terms  of 
peace  offered  by  the  Yankees,  and  accepted  at  Kich- 
mond,  will  compel  us  to  resign  all  hopes  of  possess- 
ing New  York?  You  must  know,"  — with  true  in- 
valid look  and  voice  she  continued,  —  •'  that  I  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  going  to  Saratoga  yearly,  and, 
in  my  present  infirm  state  of  health.  Congress  water 
is  indispensable.  It  is,  however,  quite  out  of  the 
question  for  me  to  think  of  going  to  Saratoga,  New- 
port, or  any  other  place  North,  until  we  have  posses- 
sion of  two  or  three  of  the  Yankee  States  at  least. 
Now,  what  I  want  to  know  of  you,  is,  how  soon  we 
may  claim,  say,  Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  as  our 
own.'' 

*<  Never  !  madam,"  was  the  emphatic  reply. 

"Never?"  gasped  suffering  secesh ;  "  why,  what 
do  you  mean  by  that  ?  " 

*'  I  mean,  that  those  who  would  visit  Northern  cit- 
ies, must  do  so  under  Northern  auspices." 

''You  misunderstand  me.  Captain.  Not  one  of 
us  dream  of  going  North,  until  we  can  call  this  place 
and  that,  our  own.  I  am  speaking  now  of  a  treaty 
of  peace  between  our  people  and  the  North.  In  what 
way  shall  we  be  benefited,  if  we  consent  to  negoti- 
ate with  them  ?  " 

* '  What  treaty  of  peace  have  you  reference  to  ?  " 

"  "Why,  you  heard  Judge  Green  read,  a  short  time 
since,  of  a  committee  having  been  sent  from  Wash- 
ington to  Eichmond,  with  propositions  looking  to  the 
restoration  of  peace." 
16 


182  EYE-WITNESS. 

'*  That  was  a  fabrication." 

' '  What  was  a  fabrication  ?  ^ 

<«  What  the  Judge  read." 

*«  Captain,  it  is  a  very  grave  charge  to  bring 
against  any  of  our  papers,  —  this  fabricating  stories  to 
tickle  the  public  ear  I  We  may  look  for  wholesale 
falsehood  among  Yankee  people,  where  lying  is  an 
indigenous  talent,  but  —  " 

"Madam,"  said  the  Captain,  interrupting,  "the 
Post,  which  Judge  Green  read  from,  is  a  sensation 
paper,  and  no  sensible  person  would  waste  a  thought 
on  the  matter  contained  in  it." 

' '  What  paper  then  contains  reliable  news  ?  "  very 
despondingly  was  asked. 

"  The  Richmond  Examiner  is,  in  my  estimation, 
the  only  paper  worth  the  reading." 

"  O  dear  !  O  dear  !  If  what  you  say  be  true,  and 
our  papers  are  up  to  lying,  we  can't  expect  to  be 
prospered.  But  do  tell  me.  Captain,  if  the  North 
does  not  offer  to  make  peace,  what  Ave  may  expect 
next?" 

"  A  fight,  more  sanguinary  even  than  the  last." 

' '  Then  I  hope  Beauregard  will  be  allovred  to  push 
on  North,  as  he  wished  to  do  after  the  Bull  Eun  af- 
fair. I  am  convinced,  that  if  Joe  Johnson  had  been 
out  of  the  way,  and  Beauregard  had  been  allowed  to 
carry  out  his  plans,  I  should  now  be  sipping  my  Con- 
gress water  with  the  dignified  grace  of  one,  who  is 
monarch  of  all  slie  surveys." 

' '  That  was  the  first  and  last  chance  that  Dixie  had 
for  Northern  conquest,"  was  the  rejoinder.  "  Some 
one  of  our  generals  has  said,  '  we  delayed  to  march 
upon  Washington  in  the  critical  moment  of  destiny, 
and  having  negleoted  to  do  so,  the  tide  of  fortune  is 


EYE-WITNESS.  183 

turned  against  us.  Now,  we  shall  do  well  to  hold 
our  own  ! '  He  was  right,  and  I  believe  it,  from  mv 
heart."  ^ 

*'But,  Captain,  if,  with  all  the  fight,  which  is  in 
our  soldiers,  we  can't  hold  our  own  and  gain  what  is 
absolutely  essential  to  our  comfort,  let  a  draft  be  re- 
sorted to." 

^  *«  One  thing  we  must  have,  and  that  is  :N'ew  York 
city,  before  Christmas,  draft  or  no  draft,"  said  a 
merry  voice  at  the  Captain's  elbow. 

**  You  here.  Miss  Mary?"  he  said,  turning;  *'  I 
thought  the  dance  possessed  irresistible  chamis  for 
you.'^ 

"So  it  does,  usually,  but  yours  and  mamma's  ear- 
nest faces  attracted  me  here ;  say  now,  think  you  I 
am  too  sanguine  of  spending  a  merry  Christmas  in 
the  Empire  State  ?  " 

"  Fii'st,  telt  me  how  we  shall  obtain  possession  of 
that  much  coveted  State  ?  " 

"  By  assault,  of  course." 

"How  shall  such  assault  be  made,  by  land  or 
water  ? "  j  -> 

"Now,  Captain,  you  are  laughing  at  me.  You 
know,  as  well  as  I,  we  shall  approach  New  York  by 
Washington." 

"  Washington  is  ours,  then?  " 

"  You  know  it  soon  will  be." 

* '  No,  my  young  friend,  I  know  no  such  thino-.  I 
was  saymg  to  your  mother,  as  you  approached,  we 
shall  do  well  to  hold  our  own." 

"  Hold  our  own,  indeed  !  Of  course  we  shall  do 
that,  and  take  what  we  want  from  our  thievish  neio-h- 
bors,  also.  Every  one  says  you  are  a  brave  man, 
Captam  Selden,"  she  added,  with  an  arch  smHe  ; 
"  the  wonder  is,  you  use  such  weak  words." 


184  EYE-^^^TXESS. 

*' Better  a  weak  tongue,  than  a  stomacli  that  can 
digest  only  sugar-plums." 

"And  you  class  me  among  that  werJdy  sort  of 
people?" 

*'Yes,  Miss  Mary,  and  worse,"  said  the  blunt 
Captain.  "  I  call  all  men  and  women  cowards,  who 
say  the  Yankee  is  yet  to  be  born,  who  can  turn  them 
one  foot  from  his  track ;  and  I  regret  to  add,  not  a 
lady  of  my  acquaintance  here,  but  has  avowed  the 
same.  As  for  the  men,  they  have  perjured  them- 
selves fearfully,  if  '  back  to  the  foe '  is  written 
against  them." 

' '  And  do  you  advocate  Yankee  skedaddling  ?  " 

"  I  recommend  discretion  in  all  things.  Were  I 
overpowered,  and  saw  a  chance  to  save  my  life  by 
taking  to  my  heels,  I  am  quite  sure  I  should  make 
the  attempt ;  and  I  am  almost  as  sure,  should  the 
Yankees  approach  your  city  and  threaten  to  shell  it, 
not  one  of  you  ladies  but  would  seek  an  asylum  in 
our  AVestern  hills." 

* '  7,  never  !  I  would  brave  danger  and  death 
even  in  defence  of  my  beautiful  home ;  were  we  in 
Baltimore,  I  could  convince  you  my  courage  is  not  of 
words." 

"  Washington  may  have  its  turn  as  well  as  Balti- 
more." 

A  merry  laugh  followed  the  Captain's  suggestion. 

"  Why ^not.  Miss  Mary?" 

"  For  the  very  stubborn  fact,  that  it  will  keep  the 
Yankees  sleepless  to  defend  their  own  Washington ; 
our  troops  are  now  at  its  very  gates  !  " 

*'  We  must  not  forget  the  North  has  a  navy. 
Think  you  they  will  allow  their  ships  to  rot  in  their 
harbors,  when  the  cry  for  cotton  is  so  urgent?  " 


EYE-WITXESS.  185 

*<  But  the  world  can't  have  Southern  cotton  until 
Abe  Lincoln  is  made  to  raise  the  blockade." 

*'  That  is  for  the  strongest  party  to  maintain." 

*'If  we  find  we  are  to  be  overpowered,  we  can 
burn  our  cotton,  and  refuse  to  plant  more." 

"  Then  we  burn  our  own  fino-ers." 

*' I  question  that." 

'*  We  all  sav  '  cotton  is  king.'  [N'ow,  if  we  are 
mad  enough  to  burn  what,  at  present,  alone  consti- 
tutes our  wealth,  to  prevent  its  falling  into  Yankee 
hands,  and  refuse  to  plant  more,  we  throw  awaj  the 
only  key  which  unlocks  us  to  the  world  .^ 

A  commotion  was  at  this  moment  heard  in  the 
outer  haU  ;  and  a  brother  officer,  with  marked  ao-ita- 
tion  approaching,  whispered  to  the  Captain,  and  the 
two  hurriedly  left  the  room. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

BUTLER   PANIC. 

MOENING  broke  over  the  * '  Home  "  in  showers  of 
golden  light.  Nature  looked  up  and  smiled,  but  per- 
jured man,  maddened  at  the  retributive  justice  his 
crime  had  called  down  on  his  own  head,  —  cursed. 

AVith  dawn,  vociferous  heralds  came  from  the 
camps  with  — 

' '  Forts  Hatteras  and  Clark  have  fallen  I  Butler 
leads  the  Yandals  !  " 

The  dreamers  of  yesterday  —  where  are  they  ?  In 
chambers,  parlor,  and  halls,  stern  mend  —  m  the 
Yankees  with  fiiint  breath  :  women,  pale  with  fright, 
toss  their  hands  in  wild  despair,  and  call  piteously 
u^on  husbands,  brothers,  and  sons.  Where  are 
they  ? 

Conquered,  humiliated,  they  lie  huddled  in  proud 
ships,  canopied  by  the  colors  they  have  failed  to 
strike,  and  stung  to  the  soul  by  the  martial  strains, 
which  led  on  their  ancestors  to  valorous  deeds  and  im- 
perishable renown. 

The  panic-stricken  visitors  at  the  "Home"  watch 
shudderingly  for  the  morning  mail;  it  comes,  and 
their  worst  fears  are  confirmed. 

"Read!"  shouts  the  frantic  crowd.  From  a 
strong  voice  on  the  right  — 


EYE-AVITNESS.  187 

* '  Forts  Hatteras  and  Clark  have  fallen  !  The  key- 
to  Albemarle  Sound  is  in  the  hands  of  Northern 
Vandals  !  Yankee  gunboats,  filled  with  brutal  invad- 
ers, infest  the  Neuse,  the  Tar,  and  Roanoke  !  AYash- 
ington,  Newbern,  and  Beaufort  are  at  the  mercy  of 
the  foe  !  "  Then  followed  the  particulars  of  the  en- 
gagement, *' which  was  heroically  sustained  by  a 
mere  handful  of  men  as^ainst  an  overwhelmins^  force 
of  Yankees,  the  carnage  on  the  decks  of  the  Yankee 
squadron  telling  the  accurate  aim  of  Carolina's  brave 
boys." 

From  a  gathering  on  the  left,  we  hear  :  — 
*  *  The  forts  could  have  held  out  until  reinforce- 
ments   arrived   from   Newbern,  had   they  not   been 
basely  betrayed   by  a  traitor,  who  signalled  to  the 
fleet,  where  the  only  landing  coidd  be  effected. 
***** 

"  Commodore  Barron,  the  traitor,  was  seen  shak- 
ing hands  with  Brute  Butler  on  the  ship's  deck  !  " 
***** 

*'  A  greater  calamity  could  not  have  befallen  us. 
The  coast  of  Virginia,  frorn  Norfolk  to  Cape  Lookout, 
is  at  the  mercy  of  Yankee  gunboats  !  The  peril 
which  threatens  is  appalling  !  To  arms  !  men,  wo- 
men, and  children  !  Brickbats  are  at  hand,  when 
guns  and  powder  fail !  To  the  shores  !  The  guns 
of  the  iron  monsters  already  rend  the  ah* !  The  yells 
of  the  invaders  pierce  our  ears  ! " 

The  scene  at  the  * '  Home  "  is  one  of  direful  con- 
fusion. Hurrying  of  feet,  packing  of  trunks,  calls 
for  coach,  buggy,  hack,  and  wagon,  a  sob  and  an 
oath,  a  cry  for  help,  and  tearful  fore  wells,  fill  the  air; 


188  EYE-WITNESS. 

while    poopoolnng   at    ''  cowards    constitutionally  " 
drops  into  the  deep  bass  of  unmitigated  wrath : 

"  In  holy  anger  and  pious  grief, 
They  solemnly  cursed  the  rascally  thieves  ; 
They  cursed  them  at  board,  they  cursed  them  in  bed, 
From  the  sole  of  the  foot  to  the  crown  of  the  head. 
They  cursed  them  in  sleeping,  that  every  night 
They  should  dream  of  the  devil,  and  wake  in  a  fright; 
They  cursed  them  in  eating,  they  cursed  them  drinking, 
They  cursed  them  in  laughing,  in  sneezing,  in  winking, 
They  cursed  them  in  walking,  in  riding,  in  fleeing ; 
They  cursed  them  living,  they  cursed  them  dying ; 
Never  was  heard  such  a  terrible  cursing !  " 

And  oh  !  the  flight  of  those  panic-stricken  ones. 
Some  to  the  gates  of  the  beleagured  cities  for  home 
treasures,  but  by  far  the  greater  number,  in  mad 
haste,  sought  the  fastnesses  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  where 
the  sullen  jar  of  cannon  and  the  fall  of  cities  might 
not  come. 

"  From  morn  till  eve  the  sad  array 
Urged  on  its  melancholy  way ; 
Women  and  children  swelled  the  tide, 
And  old  age  tottered  by  their  side." 

With  home-bound  ones  we  push  on  ;  yet  not  far, 
for  armed  men  fill  the  cars.  A  carriage  is  secured, 
but  still,  many  miles  from  loved  ones,  we  find  our 
course  impeded  by  faint  and  weary  pilgrims  who 
block  the  road. 


[Nabob  and  negro]  side  by  side, 
Commingling  in  one  motley  tide. 


CHAPTER   XXVn. 

MAGGIE    AND   RALPH. 

Come  with  me,  reader,  among  other  actors  on  the 
world's  wide  stage,  upon  whom  the  28th  of  August 
rose  cloudless.  "Before  the  finger  upon  the  dial  of 
time  marked  the  day  far  spent,  wondering  eyes  were 
turned  to  the  heavens.  Quick,  sharp  thunder -claps 
heralded  a  storm,  but  still  no  cloud  obscured  the  blue 
expanse  above;  clap  succeeded  clap,  yet  no  storm- 
cloud,  no  flash. 

"  Somebody  is  getting  it,"  says  the  merchant,  as 
he  complacently  rubs  his  hands.  "The  storm  will 
not  trouble  us,"  and  he  turns  from  the  lookout  to  the 
cool  counting-room. 

' «  There's  a  storm  brewing,"  growls  the  sportsman, 
and  he  shoulders  his  gun  and  whistles  to  his  hounds. 
"  Mighty  big  thunder,"   chuckles   Sambo,   in  the 
corn-fiefd ;  and  he  too  scans  the  heavens  for  the  rain- 
cloud  which  will  send  niggers  to  cover. 

But  before  night  a  sound  was  heard,  which  shook 
homes  and  terror-smitten  hearts,  as  if  an  earthquake 
spoke.  That  sound  — "ThQ  Yankees  are  on  us! 
Yankee  gunboats  boom  along  our  shores  ! " 

jMaggie  Blout,  a  prisoner  in  her  own  house,  with  a 
heart  tortured  by  the  uncertainty  of  the  fate  of  one 
she  had  risked  her  life  to  save  (who  had  been  be- 


190  EYE-WITNESS. 

trayecl  into  tlie  hunter's  power) ,  and  by  the  ab.<=ence 
of  her  Cousin  Harry,  whom  the  world  called  dead,  — 
a  word  had  reached  her  that  he  was  well,  and  would 
soon  strike  home  for  her,  —  endured  the  days  of  her 
captivity  with  that  self-sustaining  energy  which  defies 
calamities,  beneath  the  weight  of  wliich  weaker  mmds 
would  sink. 

Frigidly  affable,  Ralph  Bierce  met  his  captive  daily 
at  the  board  ;  there  he  carelessly  recounted  the  events 
of  the  hour ;  for  all  intercourse  with  the  world  with- 
out, and  all  newspapers,  had  been  interdicted  from 
the  moment  Ralph's  hand  had  fallen  upon  her  trust. 

"Those  are  Yankee  guns.  Cousin  Margaret,"  he 
said,  as  he  sous^ht  her  side  that  Aus^ust  mornins:. 
* '  I  will  thread  your  needle  ;  those  trembling  hands 
can  never  do  it." 

As  Maggie  quietly  declined  his  assistance,  he 
added  — 

"  Why  so  moved?  you  have  nothing  to  fear." 

"Fear!  Ralph,  conscience  onlv  makes  cow- 
ards." 

.  "  You  are  very  white,  and  I  see  your  breath  comes 
hurriedly  ;  nay,  do  not  struggle  to  conceal  your  emo- 
tion, for  I  can  assure  you  the  Yankees  can  neither 
harm  me  nor  aid  you." 

"  Your  welfare  does  not  particularly  interest  me, 
nor  am  I  so  selfish  as  to  think  of  myself,  when  brave 
men  are  falling  like  autumn  leaves,  perhaps  at  each 
blast  of  those  distant  guns." 

"  Were  you  to  die  to-morrow,  and  a  violent  death 
might  be  averted  by  those  same  Yankees  pegging 
away  at  our  forts,  this  booming  of  cannon  —  " 

"  Ralph,  speak  out ;  what  do  you  insinuate?  " 

"  AYhat,  by  your  looks,  I  know  you  divine." 

' '  Why  torture  me  so  ?  " 


EYE-WITNESS.  191 

*'  Would  it  ease  your  heart  to  know,  that  to-mor- 
row Eichard  Wheddon  dies  ?  " 

"  If  he  must  die,"  and  Maggie  spoke  slowly  and 
firmly,  «'  better  it  should  be  so,  than  to  drag  out  a 
miserable  existence  in  a  loathsome  cell." 

' '  Such  resignation  is  truly  sublime  !  I  thought  it 
woman  s  nature  to  weep,  yrhen  robbed  of  heart's 
idols ;  but  you,  ^Margaret,  do  sit  here  unmoved,  as 
the  rope  swings,  which  is  to  launch  a  sin-smitten  soul 
into  eternity.  "What  a  commentary  upon  the  fiiith- 
lessness  of  woman's  love  !  " 

''  That  I  do,  Ealph,  and  smile  too,  but  not  at  the 
approaching  death  of  a  man,  the  daily  beauty  of 
whose  life  makes  yours  hateful ;  I  smile  at  the  mean 
malignity  that  his  unswerving  fidehty  to  his  country 
has  aroused  ;  for  I  know,  and  you  know  also,  that, 
deadly  as  your  enmity  is  towards  him,  not  one  hair 
of  the  head  God  has  set  his  seal  upon,  can  you  or 
your  minions  harm."  ' 

*'Tell  me,  Margaret,  where  the  waters  of  purifica- 
tion are  to  be  found,  where  befoul  traitors  and  ef- 
fete shurigucmfes  go  down,  and  come  up  saints  and 
singing  angels  ?  I  would  dip,  and  be  counted  worthy 
to  be  numbered  with  such  shining  lights,"  Ealph 
said  in  his  usual  sarcastic  tone.' 

* '  Your  sainted  mother  taught  me  where  the  true 
waters  of  comfort  are  to  be  found." 

*'Hold!  my  mother's  name  is  sacred;  speak  it 
not !  "  and  the  proud  man  bowed  his  head  as  if  smit- 
ten by  an  unseen  hand ;  then,  rising,  paced  the  room 
hurriedly. 

Maggie  gathered  up  her  work,  and  rose  to  leave 
her  cousin's  presence.  As  she  laid  her  hand  upon 
the  door-knob,  Ealph  was  by  her  side.  «'  Stay,  and 
hear  what  I  would  say,  "  he  said. 


192  EYE-WITNESS. 

Refusing  the  chair  he  motioned  for  her  to  take, 
yet  grasping  his  extended  Iiand,  r\Iaggie  said  :  — 

*' Ralph,  for  yoiu'  mollier's  sake,  I  wish  we  vrere 
friends.  " 

*'Yoii  speak  of  my  mother.  Had  she  lived,  I 
§hould  not  be  the  man  I  am,  wrecked  and  ruined  by 
the  woman  who  bears  my  fiither's  name.  Though  so 
young  when  she  died,  I  loved  her  with  all  the  fervor 
of  my  nature  ;  had  she  lived,  a  life's  homage  would 
have  been  too  little  for  the  wealth  of  affection  she 
lavished  on  me.  But  she  died,  and  I  live  to  curse 
heaven  —  " 

"  Stop,  Ralph;  curse  the  abode  v^here  your  an- 
gelic mother  calls  you  !  Learn  to  love  what  she  loved, 
and  there  is  an  eternity  for  you  to  spend  together." 

'*  Go  !  Margaret,  "  and,  as  he  spoke,  he  dropped 
her  hand  ;   ''  your  vroman's  tongue  unmans  me." 

She  glanced  up  to  the  dark  face,  which  was  par- 
tially turned  from  her.  Grief  and  contrition  were 
plainly  stamped  there  ;  and  the  sight  of  a  tear  on  his 
swarthy  cheek  made  her  heart  bound  with  inexpress- 
ible joy.  "  Cousin  Ralph  may  be  saved  yet,"  she 
thought.  "Love  of  thee,  dear  Aunt  Mary,  is  the 
only  '  green  blade  of  joy '  in  that  blasted  heart.  May 
thy  angelic  presence  guide  the  stumbling  steps  of  thy 
first-born,  best-loved  child  !  " 

Throus^h  the  lono^  eveninof  ^Mairii'ie  sat  at  her  win- 
dow,  and,  although  peals  of  distant  thunder  sounded 
at  intervals,  she  paid  no  heed  ;  for  the  execution  of 
the  morrow  weighed  heavily  upon  her  spirits.  "  O 
Harry,  Harry,  wliy  are  you  not  here  ?  "  she  breathed 
aloud  ;  '*  no  kindly  sympathy,  no  loving  word  ;  dear, 
dear  Harry  come  back  !  " 

A  step  upon  the  walk  aroused  her.       She  raised 


EYE-^ylTNESS.  193 

her  liead,  for  her  heart  whispered,  *'  he  has  come !" 
But  no,  "  only  Dr.  Pill,"  she  sighed.  As  she  leaned 
from  the  window,  she  noted  that  the  man,  who  was 
not  an  infrequent  visitor  of  Ralph,  was  listening  in- 
tently, and  counting  on  his  fingers  the  sharp  claps 
which  sounded  now  at  shorter  intervals.  Ralph's 
words,  "  Yankee  guns,"  came  to  her,  but  she  shut 
her  heart,  and  w^ould  not  indulge  the  wild  throb  of 
delight,  which  his  words  at  first  excited.  Pushing 
wide  the  blinds,  *'  I  will  watch  the  storm,"  she 
thought.  *'  God's  voice  is  in  the  whirlwind ;  it  may 
speak  peace  to  my —  Great  God  !  and  can  it  be  ?  " 
bm'st  from  her,  as  her  eye  swept  that  quarter  of  the 
heavens  resonant  with  thunder-claps  where  not  a  cloud, 
not  a  miniature  float  obscured  the  dazzling  brightness 
of  the  glowing  concave.  ''God  be  praised!  the 
Yanlcecs  are  here^  on  our  very  coast,"  and  she  clapped 
her  hands  in  ecstasy  of  joy,  as  a  continuous  roar  shook 
the  air,  and  died,  and  rose  anew. 

*'  Amen  to  that,  lady!" 

Maggie  dropped  her  eyes,  and  they  rested  upon 
Dr.  Pill.  Stout,  but  misshapen,  dressed  in  coarse 
garments  he  stood ;  uncovered  as  to  his  head,  for  his 
one  hand  held  the  felt  hat,  which  a  true  feeling  of 
chivalry  had  raised,  although  he  boasted  no  '*  descent 
from  English  cavaliers." 

Quickly  she  drew  back.  ''There  is  something 
about  that  man  which  strangely  affects  me,"  she  mur- 
mured ;  ' '  what  can  he  have  to  do  with  Ralph  ?  He 
must  indeed  be  an  arch-dissembler,  if  a  Union  man, 
to  dupe  my  shrewd  cousin.  I  remember  now,  it  was 
after  one  of  his  calls  here,  I  found  that  word  from 
Harry,  pencilled  on  papa's  bust ;  he  may  have  news 
for  me  to-day.  There,  that  was  what  I  read  in  his 
17 


194  EYE-WITNESS. 

face  ;  and  he  shall  bear  tidings  of  Mr.  Whedden's  im- 
minent danger  to  Harry." 

The  few  words  were  written  with  a  trembling  hand, 
and  once  more,  with  unwonted  cheerfulness,  Maggie 
had  seated  herself  at  the  window  to  await  the  doctor's 
reappearance,  when  a  summons  came  to  meet  Ralph 
in  the  parlor. 

*'  Margaret,"  he  said,  on  meeting  her  there,  ''news 
has  just  come  which  calls  me  to  the  city.  Dr.  Pill 
confirms  what  I  told  you  this  morning.  The  Yan- 
kees are  upon  our  coast,  ten  to  one  of  the  force,  which 
man  our  forts.  Men  have  been  sent  for ;  I  leave 
with  the  company  wliich  goes  from  our  city."  Then, 
di'opping  his  voice,  he  continued  ;  y  Your  reputation, 
your  life  is  in  my  hands  ;  one  word  of  mine,  and  the 
prisoner's  doom  is  yours.  The  negro  who  betrayed 
you  is  dead  ;  those  you  have  here  are  devoted  to  you. 
I  go  away,  Margaret,  but  put  not  out  your  hand 
again  to  rescue  these  accursed  Yankee  sympathizers. 
This  time  I  spare  you,  for  I  would  hurt  no  tiling  my 
mother  smiled  upon  ;  but  now  I  warn  you,  as  there 
is  power  in  law,  your  life  is  forfeited,  if  you  raise  but 
a  finger  again  to  aid  proscribed  heads.  The  woman 
I  sought  here  has- slipped  through  my  fingers.  I 
have  to  thank  you  for  that.  I  have  track  of  her; 
you  look  as  if  you  doubted  it,  but  it  is  true.  No 
w^oman  outwits  me  but  once ;  remember  that,  and 
remember,  also,  what  awaits  you  if  you  set  aside  my 
threat." 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  Ealph  turned  away, 
and,  with  Dr.  Pill,  left  the  house.  Hardly  had  the 
door  closed  upon  them,  when  the*  loved  bust  was 
raised.  There  lay  a  slip  of  paper,  and  IMaggie  read 
thereon :  — 


EYE-WITNESS.  195 

'*  Men  in  our  town  built  a  jail, 

And  a  tall  man  put  within  it. 

Yankee  Doodle  came  to  town, 

Yankee  Doodle  dandy ; 

Nothing  in  it,  nothing  in  it, 
.  But  the  bricks  around  it !  " 


CHAPTER    XXYIII. 


««  Never  !  "  said  an  intrepid  girl,  as  tlie  warning, 
«*  Run,  the  Yankees  are  on  us  I  "  reached  her  ;  and 
a  smile  lit  up  her  face  as  her  eye  fell  upon  the  heavily 
shotted  weapons  which  lay  near. 

"  Run,  missis,  run  !  old  Butler '11  catch  you,"  cried 
her  maid,  bustling  into  the  room. 

"  Xo,  Kizzie,  never  !  I  fear  no  Yankees  while  I 
have  so  good  a  friend  as  this  ;  it  never  fails  me,"  and 
she  laid  her  hand  upon  her  treasure  defiantly. 

**  Missis  is  a  powerful  shot,  I  knows,  and  a  mighty 
sight  braver  than  them  white  folks  runnin'  yonder. 
See,  see,  they  come  this  way  !  " 

Mistress  and  maid  leaned  from  the  window,  and  a 
scornful  smile  played  over  the  watcher's  face,  as  she 
marked  the  crowd  of  young  men  and  maidens,  old 
men  and  children,  who,  panic-smitten,  rushed  pell- 
mell  through  the  streets  to  the  depot. 

'*  Flv,  Miss  Bierce, — not  a  moment  to  lose! 
The  Yankees  are  in  sight !  "  Again  she  uttered 
that  single  word,  *' Never !  "  and  the  breathless 
youth  quickened  his  steps  as,  with  the  word,  her  eye 
flashed,  "  coward." 

A  man  in  the  city's  loathsome  jail  heard  the  tumult 
without,  and,  with  a  look  which   spoke  a  soul   at 


EYE-WITNESS.  197 

peace,  turned  to  meet  the  assassins  who  sought  his 
life.  With  a  blow,  the  low  door  flew  wide,  and  a 
strong  man  entered. 

*' Be  you  Eichard  Whedden,  what  was  to  be 
hung?"  he  cried. 

*'  That  is  my  name." 

A  low  chuckje,  a  whispered  word  succeeded,  and 
the  tall,  gaunt  man  sprung  to  his  feet,  and  followed 
his  bandy-legged,  one-armed  guide  to  the  door, 
where  a  cart  and  mule  were  in  waiting.  With  a 
powerful  lift,  the  prisoner  was  safely  placed  in  the 
cart,  and  the  rude  driver,  leaping  in  after  him, 
shouted,  as  he  lashed  his  mule  amid  the  press  of  fug- 
itives : 

*'  Split  ahead,  Dixie  !  —  clear  the  track,  niggers  !  — 
jump  in  write  trash  !  Yankee  gun-boats,  slam  up  to 
the  city  ! "  then  to  his  mule,  "  mind  you,  Sal,  what 
did  I  feed  you  for?  Tear  ahead,  Dixie, — forty 
miles  to  Weltown  !  Thunder  and  blitzen,  we  creep 
like  snails  !  "  and  the  mad  driver  alternately  cheered 
and  mocked  the  struggling  crowd,  lashing  on  his 
mule  the  while. 

* '  Forty  miles  to  Weltown  !  "  but  with  the  accom- 
panying fortieth  lash,  the  animal,  with  a  leap,  cleared 
the  rope  harness,  and  down  went  the  cart,  out  shot 
Jehu,  away  went  mule  !  Apparently  in  no  way  dis- 
concerted by  the  jeers  and  threats  which  assailed  him, 
the  prostrate  man  shouted,  *' Forty  miles  to  Wel- 
town !  hurry  up,  friends,  I'm  with  you  !  "  Then,  on 
regaining  his  feet,  he  deliberately  wiped  the  blood 
and  dirt  from  his  bruised  face,  and  dragged  his  cart 
to  the  shelter  of  the  trees  by  the  roadside. 

"  Served  you  right,  you  cruel  man,  for  beating 
your  mule  so  unmercifully,"  Helen  said,  for  the  catas- 
17* 


198  EYE-WITNESS. 

trophe  had  occurred  before  her  window.  The  man 
heard  the  words,  and  looking  up,  saw  the  laughing 
faces  bent  down  upon  him.  A  bow  and  grimace  fol- 
lowed, and  the  cap  was  snatched  from  the  mop  of 
matted  hair,  to  be  jammed  down  upon  the  head  of  the 
man  who  lay  doubled  up  among  the  fodder  bundles 
which  were  in  the  cart;  and,  in  a  twinkling,  the 
quaint  driver  was  lost  to  sight. 

*'See!  Missis,  see!"  cried  Kizzie,  directing  her 
mistress's  attention,  which  had  wandered  to  the  crowd, 
again  to  the  cart  and  owner. 

One  look,  and  Helen  sprung  to  the  steps.  Too 
late  !  for  the  noble  bay  was  in  the  ropes.  With  a 
bound  into  the  cart,  and  a  low  whistle,  the  bold  rob- 
ber, capless,  whipless,  without  a  rein  to  guide  the 
plunging  horse,  dropped  his  body  in  mocked  obei- 
sance to  the  enraged  fair  one,  while  "  Forty  miles  to 
Weltown  !  jump  in,  ma'am  ;  free  ride  for  nothing  !  " 
came  back  on  the  wind. 

"  Villain  !  robber  !  "  but  her  voice  was  lost  in  the 
rattle  of  the  boundins^  cart.  **  I  mio-ht  have  shot 
him,"  she  said,  bending  forward  to  see  the  last  of  the 
priceless  horse.  "  Oh,  Ralph,  Ralph,  what  ^dll  you 
say!" 

*'  !Massa  Ralph  will  roar  now  !  "  chuckles  Kizzie, 
from  her  lookout.  ''  Served  him  right,  though; 
'taint  his  horse,  no  how;  he  took  him  from  Miss 
Maggie's  stable  'cause  Massa  Harry  did  n't  come  home 
from  the  war." 


CHAPTER  XXrX. 

HEROISM. 

On  the  day  followiDg  Ealph's  departure,  Maggie 
sits  quietly  at  her  window,  w^atching  the  flight  of  the 
terror-smitten  ones,  w^hich  the  city  has  poured  forth. 

''  More  frightened  than  hurt,"  she  cries,  as  her  eye 
caught  sight  of  a  low  cart,  w^hich  was  whirled  furi- 
ously on,  amid  men,  women,  and  childi'en,  pack-horse, 
mule,  and  shoat.  "What  a  mad  animal!  is  his 
owner  dead  with  fright,  that  he  does  not  guide  the 
wild  creature  ?  " 

When  in  full  view  of  the  house,  a  capless  head 
shot  up  from  the  cart,  and  a  handkerchief  held  high 
over  it  streamed  out  upon  the  wind. 

"  It  is  Dr.  Pill !  he  surely  signals  me  !  "  and  Mag- 
gie leaned  from  the  window^  to  wait  for  the  dust  to 
lift,  to  catch  another  glimpse  of  the  fleet  runaways. 
The  heavy  dust  cloud  rose  at  length,  but  winged 
steed,  cart,  driver,  and  flag  had  vanished  ! 

The  successful  flight  of  Dr.  PHI  brought  vividly  to 
Maggie's  mind  his  rude  rhyme ;  and,  in  order  that 
you,  indulgent  reader,  may  appreciate  the  absorbing 
and  complete  happiness  the  thought  of  Mr.  Whed- 
don's  probable  escape  aflbrded  her,  and  the  intense 
joy  which  her  own  freedom  inspired,  a  brief  retro- 
spect is  necessary ;  one,  which  shall  place  you  in  pos- 


200  EYE-WITNESS. 

session  of  the  events  which  followed  her  house  being 
taken  forcible  possession  of  by  Ralph  Bierce  and  his 
armed  followers. 

News  had  come,  through  Dr.  Hall,  that  Mr.  Wea- 
sel, though  dangerously  shot  by  the  guard  at  Salis- 
bury, still  lived.  Mrs.  Weasel's  resolution  was  at 
once  taken  ;  and,  under  her  assumed  name,  Fay,  she 
bent  her  untiring  energies  to  the  fulfilment  of  her 
project,  to  reach  and  aid  him.  The  hour  had  come, 
which  was  to  see  her  once  more  a  wanderer ;  a  pil- 
grim, whose  Mecca  was  the  couch  of  her  husband ; 
that  husband,  a  man  who  would  suffer  torture,  yes, 
death,  but  not  infamy  ;  who  feared  to  live  a  traitor, 
but  dared  to  bless  his  country  and  die  as  only  brave 
men  can. 

Pomp,  who  had  safely  carried  the  boy,  Percy,  to 
the  McGowans  for  protection,  had  returned  from  the 
long  day's  ride,  and  now  waited  at  the  edge  of  the 
wood  with  his  master's  fleet  horse,  for  the  mother. 

*'  Back  'fore  de  sun's  up,  and  Massa  Ralph  know 
nothin'  'bout  dis  yer  night's  work,"  chuckled  the  hon- 
est soul,  as  he  patted  the  neck  of  his  horse. 

There  was  no  moon,  no  starlight  to  guide  the  trav- 
ellers ;  but  the  keen  slave  needed  none, —  "senses 
always  told  him  when  things  went  wrong."  Already 
had  he  waited  the  few  moments  which  Aunt  Lizzie 
said  were  necessary  for  final  fixings,  but  there  was  no 
sound  of  approaching  steps.  Pomp,  though  the  most 
patient  of  human  beings,  grew  restless  as  the  minutes 
grew  longer  and  longer  ;  he  walked  to  the  road,  from 
the  road  to  the  buggy,  and  back  again,  but  no  foot- 
fall, save  his  own,  broke  the  stillness  of  the  night. 
He  gazed  at  the  house.  "  Trouble  up  dar,  sartain," 
he  said.     Then  he  remembered  if  anything  occurred 


EYE-WITNESS.  201 

to  mar  their  arrangements,  a  light  was  to  be  placed 
in  the  hall- window.  With  a  sio'h  he  turned  a^-ain  to 
his  horse,  and  was  patting  his  soft,  silky  coat,  when 
a  glimmer  through  the  trees  lit  up  the  darkness  of 
the  woods,  and  kindled  the  silver  mountings  of  the 
pet's  gear.  In  a  moment  more,  Pomp,  with  flying 
leaps,  was  nearing  the  house. 

''  You  are  nervous,"  said  Maggie,  as  she  helped 
her  friend  draw  on  her  gloves.  ''  Have  no  more 
fear  ;  everything  has  worked  charmingly.  Lizzie  tells 
me  our  jailer  has  gone  to  his  room,  and  Pomp  waits 
up  the  road." 

Mrs.  Fay,  white  as  the  cap,  which  was  drawn 
snugly  about  her  face,  laid  her  head  upon  Maggie's 
shoulder,  and,  in  that  tearful  embrace,  thanked  God 
that,  in  her,  her  children  and  herself  had  found  such 
a  friend. 

"  No  thanks  are  due  me,"  said  Maggie,  struggling 
to  subdue  her  own  emotion,  ''  except  that,  with  paint 
and  gray  hair,  I  have  made  you  such  a  nice-looking 
grandmamma.  Now  mind,"  she  added,  shaking  her 
finger  threateningly,  "  do  not  rub  your  eyes,  if  car- 
dust  and  cinders  threaten  to  put  your  eyes  out ;  for 
one  brush  of  your  handkerchief  would  quite  efface 
these  perfect  wrinkles.  Eemember,  too,  to  forget  to 
blush,  if  complimented  upon  your  green  old  age,  for 
red  cheeks  and  wrinkles  are  at  variance ;  and,  lastly, 
cough  violently  if  questioned,  for  you  cannot  dis- 
guise your  voice  ;  but,  beyond  Raleigh,  you  are  safe. 
Then  toss  cap,  paint,  and  cough  to  the  winds.  There 
are  other  changes  of  dress  packed  in  the  valise ;  in 
them  you  will  be  so  completely  disguised,  no  one  but 
your  own  dear  husband  will  recognize  you." 

* '  I  doubt  much  if  he  would 


202  eye-witinESS. 

my  own  garb,  for  I  feei  I  have  changed  sadly  since 
we  were  parted." 

"  You  have  lost  nothing  but  what  his  presence  will 
restore,  I  am  confident.  But  hark  !  there  is  Lizzie 
at  the  door."  Maggie  drew  the  bolt ;  *'  Softly,  Liz- 
zie, softly,"  she  whispered,  "  Ralph  is  a  light  sleeper." 

''  But  wakes,  Margaret,  to  counterplot !  " 

The  unlooked-for  appearance  of  her  cousin  made 
the  brave  girl  quail  for  a  moment ;  but,  regaining 
her  composure,  and  holding  the  door-knob  in  her 
hand,  she  said  :  * '  jNIay  I  ask  what  occasions  this  in- 
trusion at  so  unreasonable  an  hour  ?  " 

* '  I  would  see  the  lady  who  shares  your  private 
apartment,"  he  made  answer,  pushing  the  door  rudely 
open,  and  entering  the  room. 

At  the  sound  of  his  voice,  with  instinctive  quick- 
ness, Mrs.  Fay  had  shut  off  the  gas,  but  had  uncon- 
sciously dropped  the  valise.  Over  it  the  intruder 
tripped,  and  fell  heavily  upon  the  floor ;  and,  before 
he  had  regained  his  feet,  the  door  was  closed  and 
locked  behind  the  retreatino^  fiorures  of  Maoroie  and 
her  friend.  *'What  have  we  done?"  cried  Mrs. 
Fay,  quickly  checking  the  smothered  laughter,  the 
thought  of  the  fouler  trapped  had  aroused. 

* '  Done  !  why  turned  the  tables  handsomely  upon 
my  gentlemanly  cousin,  and  made  him  my  captive, 
until  he  promises  more  decorous  deportment !  "  and  a 
merry,  ringing  laugh  followed  ^Maggie's  words. 

*'  But  Mr.  Whedden  !  he  is  in  the  adjoining  room  ; 
his  light  will  attract  your  cousin's  notice." 

Thought  of  the  danger  which  threatened  Mr.  "Whed- 
den at  first  seemed  to  paralyze  ]\Iaggie  ;  but,  shortly 
regaining  in  some  degree  her  stricken  faculties,  she 
sprung  to  the  bell-rope,  and  pulled  it  violently.     As 


EYE-WITNESS.  203 

no  servant  appeared  to  her  repeated  summons,  she 
coolly  and  deliberately  tm^ned  to  her  companion,  say- 
ino- ;  «'  I  see  it  all  now.  Kalph  thought  to  have  his 
own  way ;  to  cut  me  off  from  aid,  and  then  compel 
me  to  have  my  room  searched.  I  must  think  for  a 
moment,  and  then  act." 

Maggie  possessed  a  quick,  comprehensive  mind,  — 
one  \v\nch.  could  easily  and  effectively  call  into  play 
whatever  resources  the  emergency  of  a  case  might  find 
within  reach;  and  now,  when  such  fearful  peril 
threatened  her  friends  and  herself,  her  powers  of  per- 
ception seemed  doubly  quickened,  and  the  project 
conceived  found  her  with  ready  means  for  its  execu- 
tion. 

*'  Mrs.  Fay,"  she  said,  "  you  must  not  delay  your 
departure  longer  than  is  absolutely  necessary.  I 
know  Ralph  would  not  undertake  to  use  force  here 
without  assistance.  As  he  has  disposed  of  my  ser- 
vants, I  must  myself  reconnoitre ;  if  I  find  the  way 
clear  to  the  road,  you  must  nm  to  the  woods.  Pomp 
will  soon  be  here  ;  if  anything  should  prevent  his  re- 
turn, you  must  drive  yourself  to  Welt  own.  But 
stay  here,"  she  added,  throwing  open  the  library  door, 
"  I  shall  make  but  a  short  delay." 

The  light  in  the  hall-window  being  placed  as  a 
signal  for  Pomp,  the  intrepid  mistress  commenced 
her  search  about  the  grounds ;  and  not  ten  minutes 
had  elapsed  ere  she  had  regained  her  friend's  side. 

"  There  are  two  men  on  the  lawn,  on  the  watch, 
probably,"  she  said;  *«  and,  although  they  are  white 
men.  Pomp  and  I  are  a  match  for  them." 

' '  There  may  be  even  more ;  what  can  you  and 
Pomp  do  if  it  should  prove  so  ?  " 

« '  Fight !  "  and  the  word  came  strong  and  clear. 


204  EYE-WITNESS. 

**  Maggie,  I  cannot  go,  and  leave  you  in  such 
peril." 

"  But  you  must,  Mrs.  Fay,"  Maggie  said,  reso- 
olutely ;  and,  firmly  but  kindly  checking  further  en- 
treaties, she  gave  her  full  directions  to  gain  the  road 
by  way  of  the  garden.  <'  With  no  horse  but  Harry's 
would  I  trust  you.  Nise  knows  the  way  ;  give  her 
the  reins,  and  she  will  carry  you  swiftly  and  safely. 
When  in  Weltown,  cut  her  loose ;  she  will  find  her 
way  back.  Here  is  gold,"  she  added,  thrusting  a 
heavy  purse  into  her  hand ;  ' '  buy  what  you  will 
need  in  Ealeigh,  but  for  your  life  do  not  stop  before 
reaching  there." 

One  short  embrace,  and  the  friends  parted.  Over- 
shadowed by  the  wings  of  Mercy,  her  feet  bound 
with  Faith's  golden  sandals,  which  made  rough  places 
smooth,  and  hghted  up  the  valley  of  distrust  and 
foreboding,  the  fearless  mother  stepped  boldly  into 
peril's  track,  and  challenged  the  foe.  Here  for  the 
present  we  must  leave  her,  for  our  narrative  leads  us 
to  Maggie  and  her  household. 

' '  Ralph  has  deprived  me  of  my  servants  ;  now  he 
shall  try  a  hand  at  fighting  his  battles  alone,"  she 
said,  as,  having  secured  the  outer  doors,  she  turned 
to  a  richly-inlaid  cabinet,  and  drew  therefrom  three 
hesLYj  pistol-cases.  The  pistols  were  ready  cocked, 
and,  putting  one  into  her  beh,  and  grasping  the 
other  determinately,  she  walked  calmly  to  her  cham- 
ber door.  As  she  passed  the  window,  she  heard 
heavy  steps  upon  the  walk.  "Pomp!"  "Yes, 
missis."     "  To  the  west  veranda  !  "  she  cries. 

^  He  is  safely  in,  and  the  door  made  fast  behind 
him.  Of  him,  Maggie  learns  that  two  men  and  a 
negro  were  on  his  steps  ;    that  he  saw  their  faces  dis- 


EYE-WITNESS,  205 

tinctly  by  the  hall  light,  but  escaped  them  by  dodg- 
ing under  the  east  veranda,  and  creeping  under  the 
house  to  the  west  front. 

"  Go  to  the  hall,  Pomp;  take  the  pistol  I  have 
laid  there  for  you  ;  then  follow  me.  We  will  avoid 
bloodshed  if  possible,  but  one  thing  is  sure ;  Mr. 
Whedden  must  be  saved  at  any  cost." 

Maggie  and  her  powerful  ally  mounted  the  broad 
staircase,  and,  at  the  door  of  that  front  room,  they 
stopped. 

"  Stand  here,  Pomp  !  let  no  one  pass  except  jMr. 
Whedden  ;  if  Ralph  attempts  it,  and  threatens  force, 
fire,  but  not  without ;  we  must  keep  him  here,  until 
Mr.  Whedden  has  made  good  his  escape  to  the  gar- 
den." As  she  spoke,  she  drew  from  her  pocket  a 
key,  and,  fitting  it  to  the  lock,  turned  it  and  entered 
the  chamber.  The  room  was  well  lighted,  and  in  an 
arm-chair,  in  a  manner  indicative  of  perfect  repose, 
Ealph  Bierce  reclined,  reading  the  evening  paper. 

He  glanced  carelessly  up  to  the  pale,  determined 
face  which  met  his  look,  and,  as  his  eye  fell  upon  the 
weapon  she  held  in  her  hand,  and  upon  the  other  in 
her  girdle,  he  smiled  ironically,  and  resumed  his 
reading. 

The  half-open  door  of  the  adjoining  room  caught 
Maggie's  attention.  She  advanced,  and  threw  it 
wide  open.  The  gas  was  burning,  but  the  window 
which  opened  upon  a  balcony  was  thrown  up,  — her 
friend  gone ! 

"  A  very  pretty  cage,  Margaret;  but  the  bh-d  is 
beyond  your  call." 

Ealph's  words  in  some  degree  aroused  the  failing 
senses  of  the  stricken  girl.  Turning  toward  him^ 
she  said :  — 

18 


206  EYE-WITNESS. 

**Ralpli  Bierce,  tell  me  what  you  have  done  with 
Richard  Whedden." 

"  I  invaded  the  sanctity  of  your  private  apartment, 
Margaret,  to  find  a  woman ;  but,  in  her  place,  a 
sweetheart  turns  up." 

*' Ralph,  answer  me!  you  have  a  desperate 
w^oman  to  deal  with  ;  speak  truly  and  quickly,  or  —  " 

*'You  will  shoot  me  through  the  head.  You  have 
a  fine  weapon,  a  six-barrel  revolver,  by  my  life  ! 
Shoot  away  ;  a  woman  never  hits  !  "  * 

* '  Does  n't  she  ?  "  A  bat  had  flown  in  at  the  open 
w^indow,  and  was  wheeling  in  cu'cles  over  their  heads. 
As  Maggie  spoke,  she  raised  her  weapon  ;  a  sharp 
report  folio w^ed,  and  the  bat  fell  dead  upon  the  news- 
paper, w^hich  Ralph  held  carelessly. 

"  By  Jove  !  Margaret,  practice  will  make  you  a 
killing  shot." 

.The  report  brought  Pomp  into  the  room.  He  was 
a  powerful  negro,  and  powerfully  armed,  and  no 
friend  of  Ralph's  ;  that,  the  latter  well  knew.  He 
glanced  from  the  savage  look  of  the  athletic  slave,  to 
the  mistress  ;  her  face,  where  beauty,  purity,  and  dig- 
nity w^ere  so  happily  blended,  was  white  as  marble, 
and  her  eyes  flashed  intense  indignation  and  stern  re- 
solve. 

Ralph  was  unarmed ;  and,  seeing  that  there  was 
no  way  of  escape,  he  said  quietly,  "  Sit  dowm,  Mar- 
garet.    I  have  to  thank  you  for  tliis  timely  discov- 


*  It  may  not  be  generally  known  that,  at  the  commencement  of 
this  civil  strife,  tlie  ladies  of  all  ranks,  and  even  children,  prac- 
tised, with  pistols  and  revolvers,  at  marks,  for  the  purpose,  at 
first,  of  protection  against  their  slaves,  who  became  so  saucy  and 
impudent,  it  was  hard  to  control  them,  —  afterwards,  it  became  a 
protection  from  insults  from  guerillas.  —  Editoe. 


EYE-WITNESS.  207 

eiy,  and  will  improve  the  present  moment  for  doino- 

60." 

To  her  indignant  response,  he  replied —  '« I  found 
a  man  in  yonder  room  ;  he  said  his  name  was  Whed- 
den,  and  I  dropped  him  over  the  railing  to  my  men 
below.     J£  they  have  n't  swung  the  scamp,  he  's " 

<'Pomp,  quick!  follow  these  men, — there  are 
but  two,  and  you  are  a  match  for  them.  Save  that 
man's  life,  and  —  "  Maggie  spoke  in  a  sharp,  quick 
voice,  with  her  eye  fixed  on  her  cousin. 

"Move  one  foot,  nigger,"  burst  in  Ralph,  but 
Maggie  was  too  quick  for  him ;  she  reached  the  door 
first.  "Lock  it!"  she  cried.  The  bolt  slipped, 
and  Pomp  was  safe  without. 

"  Stand  back  !  "  Ralph  shouted,  but  Maggie  stood 
defiant  and  resolute.  He  looked  at  her,  doubly 
armed,  roused,  as  he  afterward  said,  to  perfect  despera- 
tion ;  at  the  heavy  door,  securely  bolted ;  at  the  open 
window,  where  he  had  so  unceremoniously  dropped 
a  man  crippled  by  a  fearful  wound;  then,  as  no 
other  ahernative  oflfered,  he  quietly  walked  back  to 
his  chair,  and  resumed  his  reading.  An  liour  passed, 
and  still  another,  and  no  sound"  broke  the  silence  of 
the  room,  save  the  ticking  of  the  clock  on  the  mantel, 
and  the  monotonous  turning  of  the  leaves  of  the  book, 
which  Ralph  held. 

"Margaret,"  he  said  at  length,  "you  have  the 
spirit  of  a  martyr,"  and,  as  he  spoke,  he  turned  and 
looked  upon  his  captor.  As  no  notice  was  taken  of 
his  remark,  and  he  noted  that  her  face  had  assumed 
a  sternness,  which  showed  that,  in  her  nature,  there 
>vas  a  strength  of* purpose  not  easily  overcome,  he 
spoke  again ;  this  time  his  voice  was  more  gentle, 
almost  persuasive. 


208  EYE-WITNESS. 

"  Yes,  Ralph,  you  are  in  my  power  for  this  night, 
at  least.  By  this  time.  Pomp  has  secured  1SLr. 
Whedden,  and  they  have  made  good  their  escape,  or 
he  is  in  the  hands  of  the  military  authorities.  I  will 
now  release  you  on  one  condition." 

''Xameit." 

'*  SvTcar,  that  you  will  not  molest  my  servants 
further  ;  that  you  will  leave  my  house,  and  never  set 
foot  in  it  again." 

"  That,  i  cannot ;  for  it  is  by  order  of  the  Vigilant 
Committee  I  am  here." 

"  Then  confine  yourself  to  the  lower  rooms,  until 
the  order  is  revoked." 

*'  I  can  promise  that,  my  spirited  cousin." 

' '  And  you  will  leave  my  servants  unmolested  ?  " 

''  Yes." 

'*  Then  go."  Rising,  she  placed  her  revolver  to 
the  lock,  and  shattered  it. 

"For  such  clemency,"  Ralph  said,  as  she  flung 
wide  the  door,  *'  I  will  tell  you  that,  with  you  alone, 
rests  the  exposure  of  this  most  disgraceful  affair. 
My  men  believe  that  this  A^liedden  was  found  and 
brought  here  by  myself.  They  will  know  nothing 
more,  for  I  shall  see  to  it  that  you  are  placed  in  the 
way  of  no  further  temptation.  My  word  permits 
your  having  your  servants  ;  they  will  be  under  my 
surveillance,  however.  I  would  suggest  rest,"  he 
added;  *' you  look  worn  and  pale;  then,  with  a 
kindlier  look  than  ^Maggie  had  ever  seen  on  that  stern 
face,  he  bowed,  and  left  the  room. 

The  following  day,  Maggie's  servants  were  re- 
turned to  her.  Of  them  she  learned  that,  the  night 
of  ;Mrs.  Fay's  flight,  they  had  been  called  into  Ralph's 
room ;    Ann  first,   when,   finding  she  did  not  work 


EYE-WITNESS.  209 

rapidly  enough,  — a  revolver  was  to  be  cleaned  ;  he 
might  want  it,  he  said,  — he  called  in  Lizzie.  The 
evident  reluctance  of  both  to  work  did  not  escape  his 
observation ;  so,  en  leaving  his  room,  he  turned  the 
key  upon  them.  He  was  pacing  the  hall  into  which 
Maggie's  door  opened,  doubtless  to  assure  himself 
that,  although  the  hour  for  the  flight  ripened,  the 
night  wanderer  had  not  come  forth,  when  the  slip- 
ping of  a  bolt  attracted  his  attention.  Before  the 
door  was  opened,  he  was  before  it,  confronting  his 
cousin,  and  heard  her  softly  whispered  caution,  which 
so  painfully  precipitated  unlooked-for  events. 

*'  All  is  plain  now,  Lizzie.  I  could  not  under- 
stand why  Ealph  should  attempt  violence,  without 
some  weapon  about  him.  Had  we  followed  you  out, 
we  should  have  escaped  him,  as  you  say  you  met  him 
at  the  door  of  his  room." 

"But  'pears  like,  missis,  gettin'  out  of  de  house 
was  runnin'  slam  inter  de  vile  critters  on  de  outside. 
De  Lord's  ways  is  right ;  it  am  all  his  fixin'  dat  de 
woman  should  'scape,  'case  she  hab  chi'd'en ;  and  de 
man  taken,  'case  he  hab  nobody  ter  fret  for  him." 

''It  may  indeed  be  so,  Lizzie  ;  but  my  conscience 
tortures  me  with  thoughts  of  what  I  might  have 
done." 

Hours  lengthened  into  days,  days  into  weeks,  and 
Maggie  watched  in  vain  for  Pomp's  return.  Had  he 
been  killed,  or  had  he  secured  the  prisoner  and  escaped 
were  the  questions  which  she  asked  herself  many 
times  during  the  day.  Of  Mrs.  Fay  she  could  get 
no  clue ;  that  she  had  reached  AYeltown  safely,  she 
was  confident,  as  sh6  saw  the  horse  she  drove,  at  the 
gate,  the  morning  subsequent  to  her  flight ;  but  had 

18* 


210  EYE-WITNESS. 

she  succeeded  in  eluding  tlie  wiles  of  the  merciless 
foe  which  tracked  her  ? 

*'  Lizzie,"  said  her  mistress,  during  one  of  those 
long  days  of  um^est,  ''  I  feel  strangely  nervous  ;  sit 
by  me,  and  sing  one  of  those  hymns  which  please  me, 
'I'm  going  home,'  I  like  it, — sing  that."  Lizzie 
had  a  soft,  pleasing  voice,  and  always  felt  "proud 
like,"  when  her  mistress  would  be  amused  or  com- 
forted by  her  singing.  Promptly  she  made  the  at- 
tempt to  do  Maggie's  bidding,  but  "  I'm  going"  was 
all  that  would  come  ;  she  made  a  second  effort,  but 
with  no  better  success.  "  O,  pray,  missis,"  she 
cried  at  length,  *'  can't  sing  dat,"  and,  tossing  her 
apron  over  her  head,  in  agony  of  grief  she  threw  her- 
self upon  the  floor  at  Maggie's  feet. 

Maggie  was  startled ;  her  first  thought  was  that 
some  new  calamity-  had  come  down  upon  her  doomed 
house.  Was  Harry  dead?  it  was  but  yesterday  she 
had  received  w^ord  that  he  was  alive.  Was  she  to  be 
arraigned  before  the  Vigilant  Committee  as  a  Yankee 
sympathizer  ?  the  thought  made  her  face  white,  but 
her  spirit  was  bold. 

Not  long,  and  her  gentle,  persuasive  words  eased 
the  throbbing  aches  of  Lizzie's  great,  warm  heart, 
and  her  sad  tale  of  treachery  and  death  was  fully  dis- 
closed. 

This  is  her  story :  Jake,  her  husband,  whom 
Lizzie  loved  with  her  whole  heart,  whose  freedom 
she  liad  purchased  with  her  mistress'  money,  and  into 
whose  ear  she  had  poured  all  the  troubles  and  trials 
of  those  dark  days,  was  the  traitor  !  He,  it  was, 
who  had  sought  out  Ralph  Bierce,  and  told  him  what 
daily  transpired  beneath  the  mistress'  roof,  with  the 
hope  of  ultimately  obtaining  the  reward  offered  for 


EYE-WITNESS.  211 

the  apprehension  of  the  woman  who  had  shot  Bill 
White.  She  had  told  Jake  that  some  one  was  under 
her  mistress'  protection ;  but,  as  she  had  promised, 
had  never  even  whispered  names,  although  Jake  was 
always  at  her  to  do  so.  Pomp  had  never  liked  Jake, 
because  he  was  a  free  nigger,  and  daily  told  him  to 
go  along  back  to  the  city,  and  not  to  be  sneaking 
about  there.  He  had  been  to  Lizzie,  and  told  her 
Jake  was  a  no -account  nio-o-er,  and  he  meant  to  tell 
his  mistress,  and  was  only  deterred  from  doing  so  by 
her  saying,  if  he  made  one  complaint  about  Jake,  she 
would  burn  his  cabin  down ;  but,  after  what  Pomp 
had  said,  she  kept  her  eye  on  Jake,  and  held  her 
tongue,  which  so  provoked  him  that  he  swore  he 
would  get  another  wife,  and  run  off  North.  The 
night  Pomp  was  to  carry  Mrs.  Fay  away,  Jake 
dogged  Lizzie's  steps  as  she  went  to  the  stable  to  give 
Pomp  orders,  and  he  heard  enough  to  convince  him- 
self that  some  work  was  to  be  done  that  night  in  the 
big  house,  and  the  exact  hour.  He  tried  to  bribe 
Ann  to  tell  him  what  it  was  ;  but  she  called  him  a 
fool,  and  told  him  to  get  out,  — that  he  didn't  know 
what  he  was  talking  about.  Jake  told  Ralph  what 
he  had  heard,  and,  as  his  assistants  were  out  on  a 
scout,  he  was  sent  to  the  city  for  aid.  In  attempting 
to  overtake  the  cart  which  bore  the  man  Ealph  had 
dropped  from  a  window  to  his  men,  Jake  was  over- 
taken by  Pomp  ;  he  knew  him,  and  swore  he  was  at 
the  bottom  of  the  fuss,  and  should  smart  for  it.  Jake 
knew  Pomp  would  keep  his  word,  and  therefore  fired 
upon  him.  Pomp  returned  the  fire,  and  Jake  fell. 
At  that  moment  some  one  sprung  from  the  side  of 
the  road  and  called  Pomp.  The  two  talked  a  few 
moments,  then  struck  off  up  the  road  together.    Jake 


212  ETE-WITNESS. 

was  picked  up  by  Ralph's  men  the  following  morn- 
ing, and,  at  his  (Ralph's)  orders,  carried  to  Pomp's 
cabin.  He  knew  he  should  not  live  long,  and  begged 
to  see  his  wife  ;  but  that  was  refused  him.  One  day 
Lizzie  heard  the  guard  say,  "That's  a  mighty  nice 
cabin  where  that  nigger  is,  but  he'll  have  no  use  for 
it  many  more  days."  She  thought  it  must  be  Pomp 
who  vras  dying,  and  set  her  heart  on  reaching  him. 
She  did  so  by  treating  the  guard  freely  to  whiskey, 
and  found,  not  Pomp,  but  Jake,  sick  unto  death. 
He  told  her  what  he  had  done,  and  wanted  her  to 
tell  her  mistress  it  was  for  money  to  get  off  Xorth, 
which  had  made  him  so  wicked.  He  wanted  her  to 
sinof,  "  Pm  o^oino^  home  to  die  no  more."  While  she 
was  singing,  he  fell  asleep  ;  and  for  fear  of  detection 
she  returned  to  the  house.  The  next  day,  when 
Ralph  returned  from  the  city,  she  heard  the  guard 
say  to  him,  "The  sick  nigger  is  dead;"  she  saw 
him  throw  them  money,  and  heard  him  say,  "  See  to 
it  he  is  decently  buried  !  " 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

UNEXPECTED    FKIEND. 

**  I  SAW  the  Yankee  prisoners,"  said  Helen  Bierce, 
while  on  a  brief  visit  to  her  cousin  Maggie,  after  a 
somewhat  lengthy  visit  in  Newbern. 

' '  Those  that  were  wrecked  oiF  Beaufort  during  the 
late  gale,  Nellie?" 

' '  Yes ;  I  saw  them  as  they  marched  from  the 
depot  to  the  jail,  and  I  must  add,  though  a  very 
mean-looking  set  of  men,  they  walked  manfully,  yes, 
defiantly  amid  the  crowd,  which  abused  them  roundly  ; 
afterward,  through  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Pill,  I  visited 
the  jail,  or  rather,  saw  all  I  wished  to  of  them  from 
without  the  door." 

"  Dr.  Pill?"  said  Maggie,  with  unaffected  amaze ; 
<'  How  came  he  in  Newbern  ?  " 

* «  That,  I  cannot  tell  you  ;  I  only  know  that  he  is 
there,  and  in  attendance  upon  the  prisoners,  some  of 
w^hom  sustained  fractures  in  buffeting  the  waves.  He 
is  a  man  every  way  worthy  of  such  a  trust,  I  should 
judge,  from  what  I  have  heard  Ralph  say  of  him,  and, 
where  there  are  so  many  traitors, — we  know  our 
city  is  full  of  them,  —  too  much  precaution  cannot  be 
exercised  in  securing  responsible  persons  for  such  po- 
sitions. To  think  of  our  jail  being  broken  open  the 
day  of  the  Butler   panic,   by  some  of  these   same 


214  EYE-WITNESS. 

shameless  creatures,  and  Mr.  TVheclden,  the  arch- 
traitor  liberated  !  I  knew,  ^Maggie,  he  was  no  com- 
mon man ;  the  few  moments  I  saw  him  here  con- 
vinced me  of  that.  It  is  inexplicable  how  a  person, 
endowed  with  the  highest  order  of  talent,  can  be  so 
recklessly  indiflferent  to  the  sacredness  of  truth,  and 
be  guilty  of  the  most  heinous  of  all  sins,  —  that  of 
counselling  his  fellow-men  to  the  betrayal  of  their 
country  ! " 

* '  Have  your  Xewbern  friends  quite  recovered  from 
the  Butler  panic?"  asked  Maggie,  wishing  to  avoid 
further  conversation  upon  Mr.  Whedden's  escape. 

"  Yes,  quite  so,  and,  as  you  may  well  believe,  are 
extremely  sensitive  upon  that  topic.  What  is  in- 
tolerable to  me  is,  that  the  men  cast  the  odium  wliich 
is  heaped  upon  runaways  upon  woman's  ever-con- 
venient shoulders.  Not  one  of  them,  but  will  tell  you 
that  their  wives  and  little  ones  were  their  first  care ; 
and,  safe  abodes  secured  for  them,  with  the  first 
weapon  at  hand,  they  made  all  haste  home  to  drive 
back  the  foe.  But  it  is  an  incontestable  fact  that 
not  a  man  was  seen  in  citizen's  dress  in  Newbern's 
streets,  until  square,  street,  and  alley  resounded  with 
the  martial  tread  of  soldiers  from  Virginia." 

"Missis  is  wanted,"  said  Lizzie,  approaching; 
"  and  the  man  says  he  has  'tickler  business,  and  can't 
wait." 

*«  Stay,  dear  Nell,  till  I  return." 

An  hour  later,  and  we  will  venture  to  look  in  upon 
the  mistress  of  the  house  and  the  new  comer,  and  we 
hear :  — 

*'  Are  any  of  the  prisoners  very  sick,  Harry?  " 

*'Dr.  Pill,  madam!  "  said  the  person  addressed, 
with  a  frightful  shake  of  the  head. 


EYE-WITNESS.  215 

''  My  third  offense,"  laughed  Maggie  ;  <'but  I  am 
so  happy,  so  very  happy,  Dr.  Pill,  you  must  forget 
to  scold.  You  can  never  deceive  me  again,  never," 
she  added  emphatically  ;  "if  you  make  yourself  ten 
times  more  hideous  than  you  are  now,  and  wear  two 
wooden  arms  instead  of  one.  And  to  think  that  it 
was  through  your  agency  that  Ralph  and  his  company 
were  cut  off  from  a  retreat  to  the  boats,  and  met  the 
fate  they  deserved  on  the  surrender  of  the  forts.  Dear, 
dear  Harry  !  never  did  a  heavier  weight  of  trouble 
and  dread  fall  from  mortal  shoulders,  than  from  mine, 
when,  on  the  list  of  Hatteras  prisoners,  I  read  Ralph's 
name.  But  tell  now  the  particulars  of  your  flight 
from  the  field,  and  your  subsequent  adventures." 

"  Not  now,  dearest,  for  my  time  is  too  limited  for 
so  long  a  tale  ;  "  then,  glancing  at  his  watch,  "  only 
a  half-hour  to  the  time  for  the  eveninf^  train." 

To  Maggie's  earnest  entreaty,  he  resumed  :  — 

*'  Let  it  suffice  you,  for  the  present,  to  know,  that 
having  heard  through  a  brother-officer  of  the  treat- 
ment you  had  been  subjected  to  through  Ralph's 
agency,  I  left  my  regiment  at  Manassas,  and,  having 
secured  a  complete  disguise,  returned  here  with  the 
determination  to  dislodge  the  scoundrel.  What  my 
plans  were  to  secure  his  person,  and  liberate  Richard 
Whedden,  I  cannot  now  divulge ;  but  the  timely  ar- 
rival of  the  Yankees  upon  our  coast  brought  my 
project  to  an  earlier  culmination  than  my  most  san- 
guine hopes  could  have  anticipated." 

"  Was  it  you,  Harry,  who  hailed  Pomp  the  night 
of  Mr.  Wheclden's  arrest  ?  " 

"Truly,  it  was  none  other,  and  it  was  my  shot 
which  sent  that  rascal,  Jake,  to  his  final  account. 
Of  Pomp,  I  learned  of  Mrs.  Weasel's  flight,  and  I 


216  EYE-WITNESS. 

despatched  him  to  her  assistance  ;    and,  as  the  long- 
looked-for  time  had  not  come,  when  I  could  safely, 
that  is,  consistently  with  all  our  interests,  make  myself 
known    to    you,   I   lent  my  entire  energies   to  Mr. 
Whedden's  demands.     Through  Dr.  Hail's  aid,  who 
alone  of  my  friends  knew  of  my  return,  I  had  se- 
cured means  for  his  escape  from  prison- walls,  when 
that,   to  us,   glorious   Butler  panic  dispensed    with 
further  intrigue,  and  numbered  Dr.  Pill  and  friend 
among  the  ghostly  throng  which  westvv'ard  pressed." 
«*  Well  do  I  remember  that  memorable  morning." 
**  And  Miss  Helen  does,  also,  I  reckon." 
*' Why,  Helen?     She,  I  was  told,  was  the  only 
lady  in  town  that  did  not  leave  in  the  panic." 

Then  followed  the  particulars  of  the  freak  of  his 
mule  before  her  door,  and  his  gaining  the  possession 
of  his  ovvai  horse,  Nise,  from  her  stable.  Recover- 
ing her  composure,  which  Harry's  exploit  had  for  a 
time  completely  overthrown,  Llaggie  said  :  — 

''  Xow  tell  me  of  your  patients,  the  prisoners  ;  are 
they  very  great  sufferers  ?  " 

*'  Sufferers  !  Maggie,  no.  A  more  determined,  un- 
equivocal set  of  men  cannot  be  found  on  God's  foot- 
stool. Brandy  and  wholesome  food  are  what  they 
want  to  set  them  on  their  feet  again.  I  am  wrong, 
however,  in  saying  they  are  all  mending ;  there  is 
one  who  is  *  heavily  under  the  weather.'  He  is  a 
stranger  to  the  others  ;  they  tell  me,  the  first  night  of 
the  blow  an  object  was  seen  bearing  down  upon  them, 
which  proved  to  be  a  dismantled  craft.  Xo  living 
thing  was  seen  on  her ;  and  we  think  this  man  must 
be  a  survivor  of  the  wreck,  for  he  was  picked  up  only 
a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  spot  where  the  surf 
washed  the  others  ashore.     He  has  sustained  some 


EYE-WITNESS.  217 

internal  injury,  I  fear.  Dr.  Sharpy  has  my  pass 
during  my  absence,  and  I  depend  upon  his  being  able 
to  help  the  poor  fellow.  Maggie,"  he  added,  feel- 
ingly, "I  would  not  exchange  the  satisfaction  of  giv- 
ing an  encouraging  word  to  these  brave  Yankees,  for 
aught  earth  can  offer  ;  and,  if  I  live,  I  w^ill  yet  free 
every  one  of  them,  and  you  must  aid  me." 

''I,  Harry?" 

*'  Yes.  Newbern  must  be  your  home  while  it  is 
mine  ;  for  I  not  only  need  your  coolness  and  judg- 
ment to  aid  me  in  perfecting  my  plans,  but  I  feel  it 
is  not  safe  for  you  to  be  longer  here  without  a  pro- 
tector. The  recent  call  for  men  for  local  defence  as- 
sures me  that  not  long,  and  our  most  sanguine  hopes 
may  be  realized." 

* '  You  mean  the  advance  of  the  Yankees  into  our 
State?" 

* '  Yes  ;  and  God  grant  that  the  work  they  have  to 
do  here  may  be  unflinchingly  and  thoroughly  done  ! 
But  what  have  you  there,  a  letter?" 

*'Yes,  from  my  dear  young  friend,  Annie  Mc- 
Gowan ;  it  was  handed  to  me  as  I  passed  through 
the  hall." 

''  Read  it  aloud,  Maggie.  Her  father  is  as  true  a 
Union  man  as  we  have  in  the  State." 

'  *  You  knew  his  son  was  in  prison  ?  " 

'*Yes,  in  Salisbury.  I  saw  him  there;  he  bears 
his  captivity  like  a  martjT." 

'*  What  talismanic  charm  opened  those  doors  for 
you.  Dr.  Pill?" 

"  I  got  in,  then  got  out  again,"  said  Harry,  laugh- 
ing at  Maggie's  evident  astonishment  at  his  ubiquity. 
"  No  more  questions  now,  love,  for  I  am  anxious  to 
hear  the  letter.  I  see  in  the  papers,  when  the  draft 
19 


218  EYE-WITNESS. 

came  oflf  in  White ville,  there  was  considerable  trouble  ; 
several  arrests  were  made." 

* '  When  does  the  draft  come  off  here  ?  "  asked 
Maggie,  breaking  the  seal  of  her  letter,  and  shaking 
the  finely- written  sheets  into  her  lap. 

"  To-morrow." 

««  Will  you  escape  the  draft?" 

"  Of  course,  by  being  one  of  the  medical  board. 
Head  now." 

]\laggie  read ;  — 

'*  My  heart  is  almost  broken.  I  shall  feel  better 
if  I  write,  for,  while  I  do  so,  I  can  hide  my  face  from 
mamma.  She  is  an  angel,  or  she  could  not  bear 
trouble  such  as  ours,  so  heroically;  while  I  — 
You  shall  hear  what  has  befallen  us  ;  then  you  will 
pity,  not  blame. 

*' Poor,  dear  papa  has  been  cruelly  imprisoned; 
what  will  be  done  next  ?  My  heart  shudders  to  think 
to  what  fearful  extremities  men  like  Calvin  Hicks 
carry  theii*  malignity.  I  know  I  should  die  if  I  could 
not  see  papa.  I  go  daily  by  the  jail  window  ;  from 
behind  those  horrid  bars,  he  looks  out,  and  smiles  so 
kindly,  as  if  to  say,  — '  be  patient,  Annie.'  I  feel 
my  heart  has  grown  strangely  cold  and  hard,  and, 
only  when  I  am  practising  with  my  pistol,  Frank's 
last  gift,  do  I  lose  the  throbbing  ache  which  sickens 
my  soul.  There  is  something  in  the  smell  of  powder, 
in  the  sharp  report,  in  the  sight  of  the  wood  where  I 
have  buried  my  ball,  which  tells  me,  small  girl  that 
I  am,  I  have  power. 

"  Maggie,  I  have  sent  you  my  Diary  for  the  past 
•  week ;  read  it,  dear  friend,  then  come  to  comfort 
mamma. 


EYE-WITNESS.  219 

«'  Dec.  1.  Eode  out  with  Mr.  Wilson.  We 
went  to  the  camps ;  the  entire  town  was  there  to  see 
two  Yankees,  captured  on  the  coast,  then  on  their 
way  to  Salisbury.  Secesh  acted  hatefully  ;  but  the 
Yankees  appeared  unconcerned,  as  if  '  calculating'  the 
chances  of  escape.  Examined  the  Testament  which 
saved  the  life  of  one  of  the  prisoners  ;  it  was  directly 
over  his  heart ;  the  ball  pierced  the  Book,  but 
glanced  off  at  the  words,  *  Who  delivered  us  from  so 
great  a  death,  and  doth  deliver ;  in  whom  we  trust 
that  He  will  yet  deliver  us.'  *  The  man  escaped 
without  a  scratch.!  Percy,  after  looking  at  the  Book 
attentively,  said :  *  Miss  Annie,  God  loves  that 
Yankee,  does  n't  he  ? ' 

*'I  caused  one  of  the  prisoners  to  look  at  me,  by 
whipping  my  pony  to  a  dance  amid  the  crowd.  He 
caught  my  whip,  which  I  flung  at  him,  and,  when  it 
was  handed  back  to^  me,  tJie  paper  I  had  wound 
around  it  was  in  the  Yankee's  hand.  He  read  it ; 
our  eyes  met,  and  we  both  smiled ;  he  will  know 
Frank  now  when  they  meet.  On  our  ride  home,  we 
met  fifty  of  our  own  soldiers  marching  to  town,  hand- 
cuffed. Oh,  such  a  fearful  sight !  Fathers,  broth- 
ers, sons,  bareheaded,  wan,  and  haggard,  driven  on 
in  irons,  to  be  shot,  perhaps,  or,  what  is  less  merci- 
ful, left  to  starve  in  prison.  They  were  deserters,  — 
nine  months'  men,  who  had  served  their  time,  and 
refused  to  re-enlist,  and,  to  avoid  being  compelled  to 
do  so,  run  off. 

"  Dec.  2.  "Thirty  of  the  prisoners,  respectable 
men  from  our  county,  and  many  of  whom  papa  knew, 

*  2  Cor.  i.  10. 

t  This  fact  was  given  the  writer  by  the  surgeon  who  examined 
the  prisoner. 


220  EYE-WIT^'ESS. 

slept  in  our  bam  last  night ;  sent  to  papa  to  feed,  be- 
cause a  Union  man.  Sarah  gave  the  guard  whiskey, 
and,  when  they  were  completely  stupefied,  mamma 
and  I  went  to  the  sufferers  ;  we  gave  them  brandy, 
and  had  their  blistered  feet  washed.  INIamma  en- 
com-aged  and  prayed  for  them  ;  I  could  only  coun- 
sel them  to  take  the  arms  I  offered,  and  dispatch  the 
guard.  At  sunrise,  the  men  formed  into  line ; 
'  March ! '  shouted  the  captain,  and  they  passed 
from  sight  down  the  dusty  road.  I  dare  not  write 
how  I  felt  when  I  thought  of  the  agonized  hearts 
from  wliich  they  had  been  torn  by  their  savage 
keepers. 

«'  Dec.  3.  The  day  of  the  draft !  Percy  and  I 
gat  at  the  window  to  watch  the  people  that  thronged 
the  streets.  Blustering  Secesh  rides  furiously  up  to 
the  Court  House;  men,  unconditional  Unionists, 
walk  erect  and  firm  ;  '  If  I  am  drafted,  I  won't 
go,"  can  be  plainly  read  on  their  faces.  Scarey  men, 
who  want  to  save  what  they  own,  who  are  troubled 
to  know  which  side  is  the  strongest,  which,  in  the  long 
run,  wiU  hold  out  best,  in  great  trepidation  draw 
near  to  the  boy  with  the  box,  w4io  bawls  out,  *  Who's 
got  to  face  the  fire  ?  ' 

"The  crowd  thickened,  so  did  the  dust;  and 
Percy  and  I  left  our  point  of  observation  for  the  gar- 
den, to  attend  to  the  flowers  and  pets.  A  great 
noise  came  up  from  the  Court  House ;  we  listened, 
it  came  again ;  it  came  so  often,  we  at  length  forgot 
to  notice  it, — forgot  everything  but  the  vast  im- 
provements we  were  making  in  mamma's  garden-beds. 
The  sun  set,  then  we  watched  for  papa's  steps ;  he 
said  he  should  not  dine  with  us,  but  early  twihght 
would  find  him  at  home.     Night  came,  and  no  papa ; 


EYE-WITNESS.  221 

supper  was  spread,  but  remained  untasted.  My 
heart  whispered,  '  patience  !  Calvin  Hicks  is  away ; 
no  harm  can  come  to  papa.'  Another  hour  passed, 
then  a  step  was  heard  upon  the  walk.  Mamma, 
Percy,  and  I  were  at  the  door ;  a  negro  was  there. 
He  handed  mamma  a  note  ;  she  read  it  by  the  hall- 
light,  then  fell  insensible.  We  restored  conscious- 
ness ;  she  bade  me  go  to  bed,  and  said  in  the  morn- 
ing I  should  know  what  troubled  her.  She  looked 
so  sad  and  sick,  I  could  oifer  no  remonstrance.  After 
Percy  fell  asleep,  I  wrapt  myself  in  a  shawl,  con- 
cealed my  pistol  in  its  folds,  and  stole  noiselessly 
from  the  house  to  search  for  papa.  I  well  knew 
where  to  turn  my  steps  ;  for  I  read  '  jail '  in  mamma's 
face.  The  jailer  I  knew  to  be  a  good  man,  and  a 
Unionist.  1  reached  his  house ;  he  received  me 
kindly,  but  resisted  all  my  entreaties  to  be  admitted 
into  our  loved  one's  cell.  With  the  promise  that  he 
would  give  him  a  note,  that  before  many  days  I 
should  go  to  him,  I  grew  calm ;  but  would  not  re- 
turn home  until  I  had  heard  what  occasioned  papa's 
arrest. 

'*  '  And  it  was  Calvin  Hicks  that  did  it,'  I  cried. 

"  '  Col.  Hicks  has  no  doubt  helped  this  matter 
along,  but,  for  many  months,  John  McGowan's  life 
and  his  friends'  have  been  threatened.  In  such 
sorry  times,  you  must  be  thankful  nothing  worse  was 
done  than  shutting  them  up  here,  where,  in  my  mind, 
they  are  safer  than  if  in  their  own  beds.' 

**  *  They  are  u-responsible  men,  and  may  make  it 
worse  any  time.' 

"  He  made  no  reply,  but  I  heard  him  mutter  Cal- 
vin Hicks's  name  with  an  oath ;  he  told  me  of  the 
19* 


222  EYE-WITXESS. 

draft, — that   those    shouts    which   we    heard   were 
raised  by  Union  men  when  Secesh  were  drawn. 

'«  '  The  Lord's  hand  was  in  it,  Miss  Annie,  for,  of 
all  the  names  drawn,  Secesh  outnumbered  Union 
men,  five  to  one.  A  row  followed ;  the  Unionists 
would  have  come  off  best,  for  the  Rebs  were  just 
about  *  done  gone,'  when  Hicks  and  his  squad  rode 
up.  He  had  a  warrant  to  arrest  John  McGowan, 
Robert  Wilson,  Frank  Graves,  and  some  six  others. 
This  settled  the  fuss  ;  the  draft  was  declared  unfair, 
and  another  is  to  come  off  next  week.' 

"I  wrote  my  note,  and  left  the  house.  I  stood 
upon  the  door-step,  and  looked  up  to  those  gloomy 
walls,  which  shut  from  sight  papa,  and  all  those  good 
men  whose  names  the  jailer  had  given  me.  Their 
wives  and  children  must  watch  and  wait ;  their  hearts 
ache,  as  mamma's  and  mine,  and  must  keep  on  ach- 
ing until  the  Yankees  come.  Frank's  words  came  to 
me  :  '  A  woman  armed  is  more  formidable  to  meet 
than  a  man,  when  the  sanctity  of  her  home  is  in- 
vaded.' *  Frank  is  right,'  I  thought ;  «  women, 
nowadays,  must  study  something  beside  patience ; 
they  must  fight,  and  they  can  do  it  to  save  their 
loved  ones  from  cruel  deaths.  Who,'  I  thought, 
'  had  brought  down  upon  us  such  misery  ?  AYho 
had  sworn  never  to  rest  until  Jane  INIcGowan  had 
drank  to  the  dregs  the  bitter  draught  his  malignity 
had  concocted  ?  You,  Calvin  Hicks  ! '  I  involun- 
tarily shouted.  I  had  gone  to  the  gate  ;  so  shaken 
was  I  by  the  hateful  thoughts,  which  tortured  me,  I 
had  not  noticed  the  approacli  of  a  horseman.  At  the 
sound  of  my  voice,  he  drew  rein,  then  walked  his 
horse  by  the  fence  on  which  I  leaned.  The  newly- 
risen  moon  shone  fully  on  his  face,  so  hideous,  so 


EYE-WITNESS.  223 

sinister  ;  my  implacable  enemy  was  approaching  me  ! 
I  did  not  feel  in  the  least  agitated  ;  from  the  moment 
he  told  me  of  Frank's  arrest,  and  I  saw  the  triumph 
in  his  evil  eyes,  a  violent  wish  seized  me  to  avenge 
our  wrongs.  Now,  when  smarting  from  a  blow 
heavier  than  the  first,  my  merciless  foe  appeared  be- 
fore me.  I  knew  I  was  in  the  shadow  of  the  house ; 
that,  if  seen,  I  could  not  be  recognized  ;  I  felt  those  hor- 
rid eyes  glare  upon  me,  and  I  seemed  to  hear  the 
glad  chuckle  hiss  from  his  teeth,  that  another  Mc- 
Gowan  was  in  his  grasp,  and  that  victim  my  papa  ! 
The  thought  maddened  me  ;  I  drew  my  pistol  from 
the  folds  of  my  shawl,  raised  it,  and  took  deliberate 
aim.  As  my  finger  pressed  the  trigger,  he  leaned 
towards  me,  and  I  heard,  'Is  that  you,  Sal?'  I 
heard  no  other  sound ;  but  I  saw  the  tall  man  reel  in 
his  saddle,  then  strike  the  ground. 

*'  I  reached  home.  I  spent  the  long  night  in  the 
garden;  I  woke  my  pets,  and  fed  them;  I  picked 
flowers  for  the  vases,  and,  with  my  apron  full,  walked 
up  and  down  the  shadowy  paths  until  morning  broke  ; 
then  I  went  to  the  house,  to  my  own  little  room,  and 
prepared  for  breakfast.  As  I  write,  I  am  calm.  I 
shall  meet  mamma  at  the  breakfast-table ;  will  she 
remark  my  quietness,  and  read  in  my  eyes  what  my 
hand  has  done? 

*'  Xight.  The  house  is  still ;  I  can  write  now  of 
this  eventful  day,  then  go  to  my  watch.  Mamma 
did  not  go  down  to  breakfast ;  she  was  too  ill.  Sarah 
told  me  at  the  table  that  Col.  Hicks  had  been  shot 
dead  by  a  negro,  during  the  night.  She  said  every- 
body in  town  was  glad  of  it.  I  sent  for  John  ;  he, 
too,  said  Col.  Hicks  had  been  shot.  I  asked  him 
where  ?  '  Near  the  jail,'  he  said  ;  '  the  guard  heard  the 


224  EYE-WITNESS. 

report  of  a  pistol,  and  reached  the  spot  where  the  Col- 
onel lay,  in  time  to  see  a  negro  running  down  the  road. 
The  man  was  not  dead,  but  dying,'  John  said,  and  I 
dismissed  him.  [Mamma  called  me  to  her  room,  and 
handed  me  the  note  which  she  had  received  the  night 
before.  I  read  it,  but  so  calmly,  she  pressed  me  to 
her,  saying  :  — 

"  'My  daughter  does  not  distress  me  by  her  usual 
violent  expressions ;  now  read,'  she  added,  *  this 
note,  wliich  has  just  been  sent  in.' 

"  I  took  the  note  ;  it  was  from  the  friend,  who  had 
sent  news  of  papa's  arrest.  Therein  I  read  of  the 
mortal  wound  Calvin  Hicks  had  received  durins;  the 
night,  —  supposed  to  have  been  inflicted  by  one  of 
his  negroes,  who  had  once  before  attempted  his  mas- 
ter's life. 

*'  I  could  not  speak  ;  I  bowed  my  face  in  my  hands, 
and  knelt  do^^m  by  mamma's  bedside.  '  Annie,'  she 
said,  '  while  we  may  rejoice  that  God  has  removed 
from  our  path  so  violent  an  enemy,  we  must  pray 
that  he  may  be  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  own  wick- 
edness ;  that  his  last  moments  may  be  spent  in  mak- 
ing his  peace  with  his  Creator.'  I  made  no  reply, 
but  kissed  mamma,  and  left  the  room.  I  went  to  the 
jail ;  papa  was  at  the  window.  He  had  read  my 
note,  —  I  saw  it  in  his  face.  The  jailer  told  me  Col. 
Hicks  had  been  shot  down  at  his  gate,  not  a  half- 
hour  after  I  left  his  house. 

'"Will  he  die?'  I  asked. 

' '  '  The  chances  are  ten  to  one  that  he  does  ;  the 
wound  has  been  probed,  but,  they  tell  me,  the  ball 
cannot  be  extracted.  Ah  !  Miss  Annie,  you  should 
hear  how  your  papa  and  all  tlie  Union  men  rejoice 
that  such  a  devil  has  been  cleared  from  their  path. 


EYE-WITNESS.  225 

Mark  my  words  ;  they  will  be  free  in  less  than  ten 
days.  'Twas  that  man,  Hicks,  who  kept  the  county 
in  such  a  stir  about  them ;  and,  I  can  tell  you  now, 
he  swore  he  would  have  every  one  of  them  shot,  or 
in  Salisbury,  before  the  week  was  out ;  and  he  would 
have  made  his  tlu-eat  good,  if  the  Lord  had  n't  put 
him  out  of  the  way.'  To-morrow,  he  said,  I  should 
see  papa ;  that,  now  Hicks  was  dispatched,  there 
was  not  a  man  living  he  feared. 

"  The  day  has  passed.  As  I  kissed  mamma  *  good 
night,'  I  told  her  I  was  to  watch  with  a  sick  person. 
She  either  did  not  hear,  or  was  too  engrossed  with 
her  own  thoughts  to  heed  my  remark  ;  for  she  smiled 
when  I  spoke,  but  did  not  question  me.  She  is  sleep- 
ing now ;  so  is  Percy,  and  I  lay  down  my  diary  to 
go  to  duty  as  nurse. 

*'  Dec.  5.  Last  night  I  watched  with  the  sick 
man  ;  no  one  comes  to  Calvin  Hicks's  couch,  no  one 
speaks  of  him  but  in-  terms  of  reproach  ;  even  the 
doctor  looks  in  upon  him  as  if  he  wished  it  might  be 
his  last  call.  What  a  dreadful  misfortune  to  live, 
hated  of  all  men  !  but  what  a  terrible  thing  to  die 
without  raising  one  prayer  for  forgiveness  !  Through- 
out the  night,  I  sat  by  his  couch,  and  bathed  his 
head,  and  cooled  his  swollen  lips  ;  while  my  ears 
were  filled  with  the  groans  which  his  agony  wrung 
from  him.  I  knelt  down  at  his  side,  and  prayed  that 
my  sin  might  not  be  visited  upon  those  I  loved ;  that 
one  short  hour  of  consciousness  might  be  allowed  the 
sinking  man  for  repentance.  For  myself  I  could  not 
pray ;  I  felt  no  contrition,  no  grief;  I  simply  felt 
glad  that  Calvin  Hicks,  the  guerilla  chief,  the  wife- 
murderer,  the  fiendish  captor  of  my  father  and  broth- 
er, was  powerless  to  commit  further  crimes,  and,  in 


226  ElE-AVITNESS. 

his  own  body,  suffering  the  torments  he  loved  to  in- 
flict upon  others.  Xo  suspicion  of  the  deed  would 
rest  upon  me,  but  I  knew  God's  eye  saw  my  heart, 
and  from  Him  I  felt  my  sentence  must  come.  I  left 
the  house  when  day  broke.  I  left  him  alone,  for  his 
servants,  after  robbing  their  master  of  everything 
valuable,  had  taken  to  the  swamps ;  but,  while  he 
lives,  mamraa  and  I  will  see  that  he  does  not  suffer 
for  nursing. 

«*  I  go  to  the  jail  at  ten  o'clock.  Oh  !  the  joy,  the 
delight,  of  being  locked  in  papa's  arms  again !  I 
shall  tell  him  all." 

Here  the  diary  closed.  Upon  a  slip  of  paper,  in- 
serted, was  written :  — 

"  The  jail  was  empty  !  Papa  gone,  without  one 
kiss,  one  embrace,  one  look !  I  can  have  no  rest, 
no  peace,  until  I  track  the  murderers,  and  know  — 
what  would  I  know  ?  —  if  papa  is  among  the  living. 
Maggie,  I  send  you  my  diary  by  John ;  in  mercy  to 
poor  mamma  come  back  with  him ;  she  and  Percy 
watch  for  you.  I  fold  and  send  this  with  a  kiss  ;  be- 
fore it  reaches  you  I  shall  know  somewhat  of  papa. 

''  Annie." 

*<  Dear  Maggie  :  — 

*'  Annie  has  left  me  with  friends.  She  seeks  news 
of  her  father.  Return  with  my  servant  if  you  can  ; 
your  sympathy  may  ease  my  heart,  wrung  with  un- 
utterable woe. 

''  Jane  McGowan." 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

SCENES  IN  NE^VBERN.  —  THE  WINTER  OF  1862. 

The  season  which  followed  the  Hatteras  alarm  was 
the  gayest  ever  recorded  of  the  city  of .  Mar- 
tial strains  and  martial  sights  filled  the  streets,  and 
the  lofty  consciousness  of  "  irresistible  might,"  and 
duty  unflinehingiy  met,  the  hearts  which  beat  en  mili- 
taire,  and  the  more  tender  ones  under  calico  and 
homespun.  What  though  the  blockade  banished  rich 
viands  and  Eastern  luxuries  ?  The  guest  was  no  less 
welcome  at  the  hospitable  board,  and  regaled  with 
delicious  decoctions  of  parched  rye  and  sweet  potato, 
which,  sipped  from  china  and  silver,  was  pronounced 
more  than  a  fair  substitute  for  Ja^-a  and  Mocha. 
What  though  the  salad  was  crude  and  unsavory,  the 
light  laugh  and  bewitching  grace  with  which  it  was 
tendered,  made  the  otherwise  unpalatable  bitter,  sweet- 
ness. What  though  the  hand  which  rested  upon  the 
gay  cavalier  was  gloveless,  how  proudly  it  was 
pressed  !  Is  it  a  marvel  that  the  warm  blush  kin- 
dled, as  upon  the  manly  form  at  her  side,  the  de- 
voted maiden  recognizes  the  suit  which  her  own  hand 
had  woven,  with  its  warp  of  gTay  cotton  and  woof 
of  silk,  —  the  very  silk  which  once  adorned  that 
petite  figure,  cut,  ravelled,  carded,  and  woven  by 
the  hand  which   now,  in  happy  confidence,  is  laid 


228  EYE-WITNESS. 

upon  the  arm,  upraised  in  defence  of  Southern  rights 
and  Southern  glory.* 

At  the  height  of  the  winter's  festivities,  a  sound  of 
warning  came,  which  caused  the  revellers  to  lose  the 
measure,  the  camp-weary  to  move  as  if  there  were 
fight  and  glory  ahead,  and  the  triste  to  look  bold  and 
defiant,  — all,  eager  for  the  fray,  if,  to  their  shores, 
the  prows  of  the  "  invincible  armada,"  which  had 
left  Hampton  Roads,  should  be  turned. 

''Formidable,  invincible,  indeed!"  laughed  the 
young  Confederacy  :  "  what  had  Southern  braves^to 
fear  from  a  set  of  snivelling  pettifoggers,  pedlers,  cob- 
blers, and  colliers,  such  as  New  England  had  turned 
out  to  equip  Burnside's  expedition,  —  the  nine-days' 
wonder." 

A  hearty  laugh  is  contagious  ;  and  the  mere  sug- 
gestion of  this  '•  far-famed  expedition"  called  forth 
such  commentaries  upon  New  England  Yankees,  — 
which,  in  Secesh  parlance,  can  be  more  becomingly 
imagined  than  repeated  here,  —  that  convulsive  cach- 
ination  was  universal. 

Poor,  deluded  chivalry  !  even  while  maniacly  you 
hurl  defiance  at  Libertifs  own,  their  foot  is  on  your 
shore.  Back  to  your  cotton-bags  creep !  Strip 
patch  after  patch,  pile  bale  upon  bale  until  their  snowy 
crests  pierce  t]\Q  clouds;  cry  aloud.  Cotton  is  king  ! 
Cotton  is  mighty  to  save  !  —  but  hark  !  the  up- 
springing  breeze  brings  to  your  ears  the  thunder 
which  heralds  the  Conqueror  come  ! 

Tlu'ough  the  smoke  of  the  black-mouthed  cannon, 

*  A  fact,  that  old  black  silk,  cut  in  shreds,  then  carded,  spun, 
and  woven  with  cotton  warp,  will  make  a  pepper  and  salt  col- 
ored cloth,  quite  handsome.  I  have  helped  make  tliis  cloth,  and 
know  the  suits  have  been  worn.  —  Author. 


EYE-WITNESS.  229 

faces,  glowing  with  the  indomitable  confidence  of 
power,  look  forth  and  shout;  *' Come  with  us! 
Come  with  us  !  Though  yourjiands  are  defiled  with 
blood,  and  your  fingers  with  iniquity  ;  your  lips  have 
spoken  lies,  and  your  tongue  uttered  treason  ;  sheathe 
the  sword !  Take  once  more  for  your  watchword, 
*  Liberty  and  Nationality  ; '  then,  **  though  your  sins 
be  as  scarlet,"  they  shall  be  forgiven  you;  "  though 
they  be  red  like  crimson,"  they  shall  be  washed  w^hite  ! 

My  people  had  eyes,  but  they  would  not  see  ;  they 
had  ears,  but  they  would  not  hear;  hut  they  felt  the 
blows  which  struck  Koanoke  from  their  hands. 
Transfixed  as  with  lances,  they,  gaping,  stood,  and 
beheld  the  ''  cobblers  pegging,"  than  broke,  with 
tlie  cry,  *'  Abe's  tigers  are  on  us  !  " 

Oh  !  the  direful  confusion,  the  unmitigated  terror, 
the  splenetic  rage  of  the  luckless  ones  who  heard  the 
wail :  — 

«*  The  bars  are  down!  The  Yankees  hold  the 
State  !     Westward  !  " 

And  westward  it  was  by  night  and  day.  Pack- 
mules,  horses,  ringed-boned,  spavined,  blind,  and 
lame,  with  their  living  freight,  filled  the  forests,  and 
crowded  the  human  stream  which  pressed  on  for  mid- 
dle Carolina.  Mothers,  with  infants  in  their  arms, 
plied  the  oar  in  leaky  boats,  under  pelting  rains,  and 
suns  which  blistered  little  bare  heads ;  for,  in  that 
terrible  flight,  hats  and  caps  were  forgotten. 

The  road  by  day,  and  the  midnight  escape,  were 
alike  illumined  by  the  cotton  conflagration  ;  wiiile  the 
more  vivid  light  of  burning  turpentine  discovered  the 
thoughtful  servant  looking  after  massa's  effects. 

''Run,   missis,   run!      I'se  lookin'    arter   things, 
and,  quick  as  a  wink,  '11  catch  up." 
20 


230  EYE-WITNESS. 

Mistresses  ran  ;  so  did  the  Abigails,  hut  hi  oppo- 
site directions!  White  hands,  empty,  —  black  and 
cunning  ones,  overflowing  ! 

Xewbern,  intrenched  behind  her  **  impregnable 
forts,"  heard  the  rout,  and  paled,  not  with  fear,  but 
with  anger,  at  the  second  laving-on  of  Yankee  hands 
upon  Carolina's  soil.  Among  the  fugitives  which 
crowd  the  streets,  we  recognize  many  acquaintances 
from  forsaken  cities  and  towns  on  the  coast.  Xot 
the  least  gay  is  Mr.  Francis  Bierce's  household ;  not 
the  least  happy,  Maggie  Blout's  temjDorary  home, 
which  is  daily  enlivened  by  Dr.  Pill's  jovial  presence. 

A  bright  March  morning  sees  Francis  Bierce  pac- 
ing his  office  with  agitated  steps.  His  usual  placidity 
of  expression  has  vanished,  and  now  heavy  forebod- 
ing dai'kens  his  brow,  and  sets  deep  lines  about  his 
mouth.  A  friend  breaks  in  upon  his  revery,  exclaim- 
ing, *'That  was  a  capital  speech  of  yours,  Bierce, 
last  night.  Your  patriotism  will  cost  you  something, 
sure." 

"  Not  a  cent,"  said  the  one  addressed,  drawing  up 
his  chair  to  his  friend's  side  ;  *'  don't  think  I'm  such 
an  ass  as  to  go  down  with  this  d — d  Confederacy. 
I've  secured  a  plank  wliich  will  survive  the  wreck, 
and  I  reckon  you  are  with  me  there,  Dunn." 

"  Why,  yes,  my  cotton  I  sold  some  weeks  ago 
down  in  Georgia ;  but  you  told  me,  certainly  not 
more  than  a  week  ago,  you  had  some  thousand  bales 
on  hand." 

*'  Exactly  !  but  I've  sold  it  to  a  bale." 

'  *  And  your  tm-pentine  ?  " 

<<  Not  a  barrel  of  it  in  the  State." 

*  That's  neat  for  you  ;    but,  tell  me,  how  did  you 


EYE-WITNESS.  231 

*'  I  have  friends  in  Congress,  who  do  not  mean  to 
see  themselves,  or  their  supporters,  brought  quite  to 
the  wall ;  they  initiate  me  into  the  ways  and  means 
of  lading  in  for  a  wet  day.  This  making  a  bonfire 
of  property  may  be  fun  for  Jeff's  agents,  but  I'll  be 

■ ,  they  shan't  set  match  to  mine  !  " 

"Things  are  looking  bad  for  us,  Bierce,  mighty 
bad ;  it's  hard  telling  what  we  are  coming  to." 

"  To  my  mind,  Dunn,  it  is  as  plain  as  day  that 
we  are  coming  to  h — 1,  every  soul  of  us,  through  the 
perverseness  and  incompetency  of  that  tyrant  and 
fool,  Jeff  Davis.  Why  was  our  garrison  crippled  at 
Eoanoke,  just  as  the  Yankees  were  on  us  ?  Why  our 
own  brave  boys  called  out  of  the  State,  and  South 
Carolina's  sneaking  d — Is  sent  here  for  our  defence? 
What  does  Jeff  care  if  our  State  is  overrun  with 
Northern  Vandals,  if  he,  and  his  army  in  Virginia, 
can  fatten  on  our  bacon,  and  fight  from  behind  the 
ramparts  which  our  boys'  guns  afibrd  ?  " 

' '  We  are  getting  it !  We  are  getting  it !  Xo 
doubt  about  that,  and  it  comes  of  our  letting  the  iron 
cool  before  we  struck.  Kentucky  and  Missouri  brag 
'  their  flags  were  flying,  before  the  bunting  of  ours 
was  woven.  Jeff  calls  us  a  '  drag,'  and,  now  that 
we  have  been  twice  whipped  on  our  own  soil,  every 
State  in  the  Confederacy  cries,  *  Cowards  ! ' " 

' '  Hang  me  !  Dunn,  if  I  would  n't  like  to  see  Davis 
and  his  Confederacy  sunk!  Ah!  how  are  you, 
Green  ?  Glad  to  see  you.  Mr.  Dunn,  Judge  Green. 
Any  news  for  us  to-clay  from  your  way  ?  "  asked  ]Mi\ 
Bierce,  handing  the  new  comer  a  chair. 

"  The  '  Yanks'  have  fired  our  to^vn.' 

"That's  bad,  Green." 

"  I'll  be  blessed  if  I  care  a  fig  if  they  have  razed 
it  to  the  ground.     Tve  lost  everything ! " 


232  EYE-WITNESS. 

"  Everything,  Green?     Not  so." 

<'  But  it  is  so.  Every  nigger,  every  bale  of  cotton 
is  gone  !  and,  as  for  my  wife  and  children,  they 
might  as  well  be  in  another  planet  for  all  I  know  of 
them  ;  "  and  a  heavy  groan  from  the  penniless,  wid- 
owed boaster  of  the  "  Home,"  followed. 

Again  the  door  opened.  ' '  Bierce,"  said  a  bustling 
man  entering,  ''  couldn't  leave  the  city  without  tell- 
ing you  v>'hat  a  heap  of  good  your  speech,  last  night, 
did  me.  I  agree  with  you  heartily,  that  a  man  is  as 
much  a  traitor  to  his  country,  as  a  Yankee  abolition- 
ist, who  refuses  to  put  the  brand  to  his  cotton  and 
turpentine.  I'm  oii  now  to  follow  your  example  ;  if 
I  have  n't  as  many  cotton  bales  by  a  hundred,  I'm  a 
little  ahead  of  you  in  turpentine,  I  reckon.  Our 
President,  our  cause,  need  just  such  men  as  you  to 
keep  us  sharp  to  the  mark.  Publish  jonr  speech, 
Bierce ;  publish  it  in  all  the  papers,  and  the  Yanks 
may  hunt  the  Confederacy  through  for  a  pound  of 
cotton,  or  a  gill  of  turpentine,  to  gloat  over." 


On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  Mss  Helen 
Bierce's  parlors  were  brilliantly  lighted ;  for  there, 
were  assembled  the  grave,  young  and  gay,  who,  with 
pleasing  rivalry,  vied  with  each  other  in  the  sprightly 
sally,  and  patriotic  song,  to  drown  the  humiliating 
consciousness  of  the  enormity  of  the  disaster  which 
had  befallen  their  State.  The  presence  of  Gen.  Runn 
and  staff  added  much  to  the  eclat  of  the  occasion. 

"General,"  said  Helen,  turning  from' the  piano, 
where  her  brilliant  execution  of  the  '  *  Manassas 
Rout,"  —  the  most  popular  piece  of  the  day,  —  had 
elicited  the  warmest  encomiums  ;  *  *  how  many  weeks 


EYE-WITNESS.  233 

have  we  to  enjoy  the  undisturbed  possession  of  this, 
our  adopted  city  ?  " 

'*My  dear  young  l^dy,"  was  thex reply;  **you, 
like  many  others,  and,  I  may  add,  the  press  univer- 
sally, give  the  Yankees  credit  for  a  display  of  prow- 
ess they  by  no  means  deserve.  Among  the  Yankee 
pioneers  of  the  West,  we  may  expect  to  find  pluck 
and  dogged  obstinacy,  naturally  the  result  of  the  wild 
life  they  lead,  which  may  give  us  some  trouble  to 
overcome  ;  but  Burnside's  men  are  mostly  New  Eng- 
land Yankees,  and,  my  word  for  it,  not  one  in  ten 
among  them  can  handle  a  musket  soldierly,  if  they 
can  distinguish  the  breech  from  the  muzzle." 

*'But  you  must  allow,  General,"  said  Helen, 
'*  that  they  gained  a  decided  advantage  over  us  at 
Eoanoke." 

"  Yes,  some  little  advantag^e  :  all  owins:  to  their 
great  superiority  in  numbers,  however.  Let  them 
follow  the  *  ign'is  fatmis'  which  has  led  them  on  thus 
far,  and  they  will  find  Xewbern  *a  bog  from  which 
there  is  no  escape." 

Eespect,  paid  to  the  opinion  of  superior  officers, 
silenced  further  remark  upon  the  subject  of  Yankee 
capacity.  Glances,  however,  were  exchanged  amid 
the  crowd  of  eager  listeners,  and  more  than  one  eye 
flashed  saucily,  as  if  something  might  be  said  to  the 
contrary,  if  to  disagree  with  so  wise  a  General  was 
not  unpardonably  discourteous. 

*'  Then  we  are  free  from  all  alarm  here,"  Helen 
said,  glancing  mischievously  upon  the  gi'oup  around ; 
*'  this  leaving  home  in  a  panic  is  distressingly  un- 
sightly, to  say  the  least." 

''  Laugh  at  us,  Helen,  if  it  so  please  you  ;  we  all 
know  your  courage,  and  the  fact,  also,  that  it  was 

20* 


234  EYE-WIT^'ESS. 

only  at  the  command  of  your  father,  you  left.  As 
for  myself,  I  am  not  ashamed  to  own  I  was  among 
the  foremost  to  run  from  home  at  the  Butler  scare, 
nor  to  avow  that,  at  the  present  time,  I  feel  quite  in 
the  mood  for  ruralizing,  although  the  season  for  the 
country  has  not  begun." 

To  a  remark  of  one  of  his  staff,  Gen.  Itunn  re- 
plied :  — 

"  Certainly,  certainly,  the  possession  of  our  inland 
seas  is  of  some  advantage  to  our  enemies,  but  not,  as 
many  think,  an  irreparable  loss  to  ourselves.  With 
the  force  assigned  me,  I  feel  confident  we  shall  sus- 
tain no  further  loss,  and  shall  ultimately  drive  tlie 
invaders  from  the  State." 

"  I  have  never  seen  a  Yankee,  and  hope  I  never 
may,  was  whispered,  as  the  General,  bowing,  moved 
away  ;  "  but  I  must  believe  them  brave,  for  our  sol- 
diers, those  that  escaped  from  Roanoke  Island,  say 
that  of  them." 

*'  Who  have  you  seen  from  there.  Miss  Jennil?" 
clamored  a  dozen  voices. 

"  Richard  Smith,  one  of  Gen.  Winder's  staff;  and 
you  may  believe  it  or  not,  but  he  says  the  Yankees 
marched  up  to  our  batteries,  as  if  rations,  not  grape 
and  canister,  awaited  them.  To  use  his  own  words, 
«  Burnside's  boys  are  no  cowards ;  the  very  music 
they  step  out  is,  "  Clear  out :  those  guns  are  ours."  '  " 

*' What  you  repeat  may  be  substantially  true; 
coming  from  such  a  reliable  source,  we  must  give 
some  credence  to  it ;  but,  when  opposing  forces  were 
so  fearfully  disproportionate,  we  must  not  mistake 
strength  for  valor." 

Said   another  of  the   group,    **  The  Yankees  have 


EYE-WITNESS.  235 

not  shown  themselves  the  proletarians  we  thought 
them.  Here  comes  the  Captain  Selden  ;  he  is  hon- 
est and  outspoken ;  we  will  hear  his  opinion  of  the 
invaders." 

''  What  is  it,"  asked  that  oiScer,  drawing  to  the 
side  of  the  young  lady  who  beckoned  his  approach ; 
and,  to  her  question,  replied:  — 

* '  Donelson  and  Koanoke  afford  fair  proof  of  some 
ability,  surely." 

'*  But  that  does  not  satisfy  us,  Captain.  We  wish 
to  know,  if  man  to  man  the  North  and  South  should 
meet,  which  do  you  think  would  come  off  victorious  ?" 

*'  Miss  Jennil,  I  have  never  met  our  enemy  in  the 
field  ;  until  I  have,  I  cannot  give  you  a  fair  opinion." 

'*  Nor  never  will,  so  long  as  your  company  is  sta- 
tioned here." 

*'  It  is  by  no  means  unlikely  that  your  city  will  be 
attacked." 

* '  Burnside  is  too  prudent  a  general  to  lead  his 
men  upon  such  fortifications." 

"It  may  prove  so;  but  say,  ladies,  to  look  the 
matter  full  in  the  face,  are  you  prepared  for  any 
emero^enc}^  which  may  arise  in  case  Newbern  is  at- 
tacked ! " 

* '  You  surely  do  not  mean  to  insinuate  there  is  fur- 
ther flight  for  us.  Captain  ?  "  said  the  startled  Jennil. 

All  present,  in  fact,  the  entire  State,  knew  that, 
from  the  first  incursions  of  the  Yankees  under  But- 
ler, by  unremitting  toil  and  at  enormous  expense, 
Newborn  had  been  rendered,  to  use  the  popular  word, 
*'  impregnable." 

''  For,"  said  the  press,  "  if  the  fall  of  Hatteras, 
and,  more  recently,  the  surrender  of  Eoanoke  Island, 
should  be  followed  by  the  loss  of  Newbern,  a  great 


236  EYE-WITNESS. 

portion  of  the  State,  embracing  the  most  valuable 
lands,  wealth,  and,  at  least,  one  tliird  of  the  slave 
population,  would  then  be  in  possession  of  the  enemy." 

So,  by  every  scheme  which  human  ingenuity  could 
devise,  the  channel  of  the  Xeuse  was  blocked,  that 
the  approach  to  the  city  might  not  be  made  by  gun- 
boats ;  and  water  batteries  and  field  fortifications 
reared  a  threatening  front  for  miles  around.  The 
idea,  therefore,  of  New  hern's  falling  into  the  hands  of 
the  foe,  was  simply  absurd  ;  and  the  Captain's  sug- 
gestion of  a  thing  so  improbable  elicited  general  and 
hearty  laughter.  The  quick  eye  of  Miss  Jennil,  how- 
ever, caught  the  slightly  significant  smile  Avhich  the 
Captain  cast  upon  the  ladies,  ere  he  turned  away. 
It  was  too  transient  to  admit  of  comment ;  but  how 
forcibly  it  came  back,  when  that  ride  of  forty  miles 
to  Kinston  found  her  fleeing  from  shot  and  shell,  — 
the  ravishinc(  flames  of  her  own  home  lia^htino^  her 
flight !     But  this  is  anticipating. 

A  glad  cry  drew  the  attention  of  the  thronged  par- 
lors to  the  hall.  Through  the  open  door  their  radi- 
antly beautiful  hostess  appeared,  leaning  on  the  arm 
of  a  tall,  dark  stranger.  A  second  glance  assures  us 
we  are  right,  and,  with  the  crowd,  we  exclaim, 
' '  Ralph  Bierce  !  "  The  exchanged  Hatteras  prisoner 
was  returned. 


CHAPTEE  XXXn. 

THE  EAILKOAD  BRIDGE   SET   ON  FIRE. 

Neavbern  is  situated  at  the  confluence  of  the  Neuse 
and  Trent  rivers.  The  latter  is  spanned  by  a  rail- 
road bridge,  the  most  extensive  and,  by  far,  the 
most  costly  structure  of  the  kind  in  the  State.  It 
was  the  prevailing  opinion  that  Beaufort,  a  pleasant 
seaport  town,  not  many  miles  from  Newbern,  would 
be  the  next  place  attacked  by  the  invaders  ;  and,  as 
this  bridge  afforded  transit  for  troops  and  army  sup- 
plies for  that  town,  as  well  as  the  chain  of  forts  above 
and  below,  it  was  necessary  that  great  caution  should 
be  exercised  to  preserve  it  intact.  It  follows,  there- 
fore, that  a  strong  guard  and  heavy  ordnance  de- 
fended its  several  approaches. 

We  have  left  the  brilliant  coterie  at  Mr.  Bierce's 
dwelling ;  and,  as  the  midnight  bell  is  arousing  dis- 
tant echoes,  we  stand  upon  the  shore  of  the  dark 
Trent,  watching  a  skiff  which,  with  muffled  oars, 
drops  silently  down  its  unruffled  waters.  The  small 
boat  hugs  the  east  shore,  and,  in  the  friendly  shadow 
of  the  overhanging  trees,  escapes  the  tell-tale  beams 
of  the  moon,  which,  now  in  her  first  quarter,  hangs 
low  in  the  west. 

The  boat  nears  the  bridge,  and,  for  a  moment,  the 
oarsman  lifts  his  paddle  :  but  no  sound  save,  ''  Who 
cooks,  who  cooks,"  from  an  owl  on  the  woody  shore, 
breaks  the  night's  stillness. 

The  watch  deep  on  their  post  ! 


238  EYE-WITNESS. 

The  wary  adventurer  strikes  the  water  once,  twice, 
thrice  ;  still,  no  sound  comes  from  the  sound  sleepers, 
which  the  slanting  moonbeams  display  stretched  upon 
the  earth,  or,  with  heavy  heads  hung  low,  studying 
repose  with  arms  locked  about  muskets,  as  if  danger 
threatened  tJicm,  not  the  proud  superstructure  which 
bridged  those  placid  waters.  The  boat  now  glides 
boldly  out ;  but  is  soon  lost  to  sight  in  the  shadow  of 
the  middle  pier. 

A  half-hour  passed,  and  the  sentinel  upon  the  city 
shore  stops  his  measured  tread  to  gaze  upon  his  com- 
rade. Over  his  face,  which  his  hand  supports,  (for 
the  soldier  had  thrown  himself  upon  a  pile  of  timber 
near,)  a  bluish  light  plays.  It  lights  up  the  grass, 
trees,  and,  even  now,  is  reflected  from  the  tall  spires 
and  windows  of  the  city. 

The  guard  leap  to  their  feet,  and,  upon  the  night 
air,  rings  out  sharp  and  shrill,  "Fire!  fire!  The 
bridge  !  the  bridge  !  "  Wildly  ring  the  bells  ;  fire- 
men spring  to  their  engines,  to  find  the  hose  punc- 
tured and  wholly  useless  !  and  the  wind  is  rising ! 
By  the  flames,  which  spread  slowly,  a  surging  mass 
of  beings,  appalled  by  the  overwhelming  ruin  which 
the  destruction  of  the  bridge  threatens,  is  seen  near- 
ing  the  shore'.  And  now,  above  the,  clamor  of  the 
crowd,  the  crackling  flames,  and  rushing  wind,  rises 
the  startled  cry,  "  The  Yankees  are  on  us." 

Eyes,  distended  with  fear,  see  Yankee  gunboats 
adown  the  river,  and  ears  are  horrified  by  screeching 
shell  from  out  the  iron  monsters.  Mute,  terror-smit- 
ten, the  tide  of  human  life  sways  back  to  the  cit}^. 
Horsemen  with  fixed  bayonets  dispute  the  way.  < '  To 
the  bridge,  fools  !  Cut  down  the  cowards  !  "  cries  a 
bold  man,  charging  his  horse  upon  the  foremost  of 


EXE-WITNESS.  239 

the  struggling^  mass  ;  *'to  the  bridge,  or  we  are  lost ! 
!N"ot  a  d — d  Yankee  in  sight !  " 

The  crowd  part  before  the  intrepid  dragoon  ;  his 
fiery  words,  his  mad  gallop  to  the  scene  of  action, 
staggers  them ;  they  waver,  they  turn,  and  now,  at 
double  quick,  rush  to  the  shore. 

One  glance  is  flashed  down  the  Trent,  glowing  in" 
the  rioting  flames  of  the  burning  bridge ;  grim  i)lian- 
toms  have  vanished  ! 

Daybreak  sees  the  flames  mastered;  and  men, 
faint,  scorched,  smoked  beyond  recognition,  but  ex- 
ultant, that  theu'  efforts  have  saved  the  bridge,  move 
down  the  city's  streets,  homeward.  Maggie  Blout 
had  passed  a  sleepless  night.  From  her  window,  she 
had  been  a  calm  observer  of  the  burning  bridge  ;  as 
the  last  flame  died  out,  she  hid  her  face  in  her  hands, 
exclaiming,  *'  All  is  lost !  "  and  the  low  droop  of  her 
head  spoke  of  great  despondency,  almost  utter  de- 
spair. In  the  morning  paper  she  read  of  the  unpar- 
alleled audacity  of  the  midnight  incendiary  ;  that,  had 
he  accomplished  his  fiendish  deed,  the  forts  below  and 
their  garrisons  would  have  fallen,  without  a  struggle, 
into  the  povv^er  of  a  merciless  foe ;  that  it  was  Yan- 
kee sympathizers,  and  the  city  swarmed  with  them, 
who  had  disabled  the  engines,  raised  the  cry  of 
**  Yankees,"  and  freed  the  teeming  prison. 

Farther  down,  her  eye  caught  a  name  which  caused 
her  breath  to  come  quick  and  short ;  and  a  whiteness 
overspread  her  face  as  she  read  :  "To  the  self-pos- 
session and  keen  sagacity  of  Ralph  Bierce,  one  of  the 
returned  Hatteras  prisoners,  who  came  in  the  even- 
ing train,  is  our  city  indebted  for  its  rescue  from  the 
overwhelming  ruin  which  threatened  it  in  the  loss  of 
the  railroad  bridge.     Well-mounted,  he  dashed  his 


240  EYE-WITNESS. 

horse  from  the  shore,  when  the  cry  of  *' Yankees" 
paralyzed  the  crowd,  and,  with  the  prison  guard, 
that  had  secured  horses  from  a  stable  near,  met  our 
frightened  citizens,  and,  by  his  efFectiA'e  threats  and 
noble  example,  calmed  their  frenzy,  and  tm^ned  them 
back  to  then-  duty."^ 

That  day,  and  for  a  week,  a  vigorous  search  was 
instituted  for  the  perpetrator  of  the  diabolical  act  of 
firing  the  bridge.  The  result  of  the  search  was  a 
boat,  picked  up  a  mile  down  the  river ;  but  the  com- 
bustible fluids,  the  tarred  rope,  and  a  well-worn  straw 
hat,  found  therein,  told  no  tales. 


CHAPTER  XXXm. 

MAGGIE  IN  PRISON  ;    FINDS  A  SICK  SOLDIER. 

In  a  low,  comfortless  room,  where,  through  chinks 
in  the  ill-matched  boards  which  barred  the  window, 
dusty  sunbeams  wandered,  we  next  meet  INIaggie 
Blout.  She,  too,  was  a  victim  of  the  relentless  per- 
secution which  inaugurated  Ralph  Bierce's  reign  as 
Provost  Marshal. 

Men  of  law,  letters,  and  religion,  had  been  rudely 
seized,  and,  without  the  slightest  investigation  of  the 
charges  brought  against  them,  cast  into  prison  ;  it 
was  enough  tliat  suspicion  marked  them  as  Yankee 
sympathizers.  In  the  loathsome  cell,  on  the  straw 
pallet,  dividing  the  coarse  food,  which  was  thrown 
at  them  as  if  they  were  indeed  kennelled  dogs  ;  bear- 
ing all  things,  hoping  all  things,  these  brave  souls, 
wi^h  unflinching  spirit,  sustained  the  torments  of  the 
day ;  for  the  light,  which  led  on  advancing  cohmtis, 
pierced  prison  gloom,  and  awoke  in  them  that  heroic 
endurance  which  bears  witness  of  the  ''  Godlike  that 

is  in  man."  t_    i    j 

Maggie  had  heard  of  her  many  friends  who  had 
been  forced  to  exchange  the  felicitous  delights  of  the 
home  circle,  for  the  suspense  and  incurable  aches  of 
prison-life ;  and,  when  her  summons  came,  she  was 

ready.  ^  ■,  ^ 

Throudiout  her  inter\dew  with  Ralph,   she   sus- 

f  o 


242  EYE-WITNESS. 

tained .  her  usual  quiet  and  becoming  dignity,  coolly 
parrying  bis  questions  wbere  she,  herself,  was  con- 
cerned, and  resolutely  refusing  to  utter  one  word, 
when  commanded  to  disclose  what  she  knew  of  the 
*'  spy,'-'  Dr.  Pill. 

"Yes,  Margaret,"  he  said,  that  Dr.  Pill  was  a 
Yankee  spy,  and  the  villain,  or  one  of  his  accom- 
plices, who  cut  adrift  the  boat  in  which  we  were  to 
make  good  our  retreat,  in  case  Fort  Hatteras  surren- 
dered. A  man,  answering  to  liis  appearance,  was 
seen  by  Helen  on  the  day  of  the  panic,  making  good 
his  escape  after  robbing  our  stable  of  Plarry  Blout's 
mare ;  he  afterward  came  to  this  city,  and,  by  the 
most  adroit  duplicity,  palmed  himself  off  upon  the 
Vigilance  Committee,  as  a  surgeon  disabled  in  the 
Bull  Run  affair,  and  secured  a  pass  to  the  Yankee 
prisoners,  as  medical  attendant.  With  them,  he  has 
disappeared ;  and  there  is  no  longer  any  reason  to 
doubt  he  has  accomplices  in  our  midst,  who  di'ugged 
the  men  detailed  for  sentinel  duty  the  night  of  the 
fire,  and  then  cleared  the  way  for  his  own  and  prison- 
friends'  escape.  His  coat  and  boots,  which  none 
other  but  a  Yankee  clodhopper  could  wear,  have  been 
found  on  your  premises." 

*  *  The  Yankees  are  reckoned  a  «  particular  cute 
nation,'"  was  Maggie's  reply,  in  no  way  disconcerted 
by  the  searching  look  which  Ralph  fixed  upon  her? 

'*  Speak,  Margaret,  and  tell  me  what  you  know 
of  this  Yankee  spy,  or  your  traitorous  deeds  shall 
cost  you  your  liberty,  —  your — "  he  stopped. 

'*  Go  on,  Ralph,"  was  the  calm  rejoinder;  *<  you 
would  not  hesitate  to  hang  any  of  the  men  you  have 
arrested  on  suspicion  of  loyalty  to  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment ;  and  can  I,  whom  you  know  to  be  uncondi- 


EYE-WITNESS.  243 

tionally  loyal,  expect  clemency  of  you,  who  sunk  to 
the  lowest  depths  of  infamy  when  you  swore  fealty  to 
treason's  instigators." 

*  *  The  undisturbed  seclusion  of  the  apartments 
which  I  have  assigned  you,  and  simple  diet,  may, 
possibly,  temper  your  bold  speech,  Margaret ;  I  will 
see  you  again  to-morrow." 

He  tapped  for  a  subordinate,  and  that  official  fol- 
lowed Maggie  to  the  carriage  in  waiting.  "  The 
Whitney  House,  Elm  St.,"  he  shouted  to  the  di'iver, 
and  the  carriage  rolled  away. 

The  tliird  day  of  her  imprisonment,  which,  Ralph 
said  on  his  last  visit,  promised  to  be  a  long  one, 
Maggie  detained  the  negro  keeper,  and  obtained  the 
following  information  :  — 

*'  After  a  week's  labor,  the  bridge  would  be  pas- 
sable ;  that  everybody  seemed  to  be  in  a  mighty 
hurry,  as  if  something  was  going  to  happen ;  that 
men  on  the  street  said,  «  A  w^eek  more,  and,  if  at- 
tacked, we  shall  be  able  to  give  the  Yankees  particu- 
lar fits  ; '  that  several  arrests  had  been  made  the  past 
two  days,  and  sent  off  Kinston  way ;  and  that  the 
man  who  groaned  so  in  the  next  room  was  a  sick 
soldier  from  Beaufort,  who  had  been  dying  a  long 
time,  and,  as  the  money  was  all  gone,  he  would  be 
nursed  no  longer." 

Maggie  watched  that  night  with  the  sick  man ; 
and,  as,  by  the  dhn  light  of  a  wretched  ''tallow 
dip,"  she  gazed  pitifully  down  upon  the  ghastly  face 
of  the  sufferer,  it  seemed  to  her  that  every  breath  he 
drew  served  to  hasten  dissolution. 

"Poor  man!"  she  exclaimed,  as  she  moistened 
his  parched  and  shrunken  lips  ;  « '  such  suffering  as 
yours  must  atone  for  the  sin  of  treason."      The  first 


244  EYE-WITXESS. 

hours  of  the  night,  the  soldier  moaned  and  tossed,  as 
if  in  great  jDain :  and,  as  ^Jaggie  had  done  all  her 
limited  resources  allowed  fur  his  relief,  she  sat  down 
upon  the  hard  floor  beside  the  pallet ,_  and,  to  sustain 
her  own  faintinsr  heart,  sano^  a  low  chant. 

The  paroxysms  of  pain  grew  less  violent,  and,  be- 
fore the  strain  was  finished,  the  soldier  lay  motion- 
less. At  first,  ]\Iaggie  could  not  realize  the  magical 
eflfect  of  her  chant ;  then  it  occurred  to  her  that  she 
had  read  instances  where  music  had  been  resorted 
to  to  soothe  the  last  agonies  of  the  dying.  On  the 
burden  of  her  melody  had  that  poor  soul  winged  its 
flight?  She  hoped  so;  but  no,  there  was  a  feeble 
pulse,  and  the  chest  moved  lightly  as  in  natural  sleep. 
* '  So  sweet  a  sleep  will  prove  a  salutary  remedy ; 
the  sick  man  may  yet  live  to  make  glad  some  watch- 
ing, aching  heart,"  she  thought,  and  turned  away. 

Upon  the  roof  the  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  patter, 
patter,  came  the  drops  upon  the  wretched  floor.  As 
Maggie  placed  the  saucer  which  held  the  ' '  feeble 
dip,"  beyond  the  flow  of  the  rivulets  streaming  from 
the  broken  ceiling,  the  sick  man  moved,  and,  as  his 
nurse  bent  over  his  pallet,  "  Sing,"  came  faintly. 
She  sang  some  plaintive  melodies,  sweet  and  low,  so 
low  at  last,  it  was  as  if  an  angel  whispered.  Mag- 
gie slept. 

*«  Margaret!  " 

The  watcher's  sleep  was  broken ;  she  sprung  to 
her  feet,  exclaiming,  "Here;"  but,  for  the  sweep- 
ino^  fjusts  without,  she  could  scarce  hear  her  own 
voice.  "  Some  one  spoke  my  name,"  she  thought; 
*  *  Harry  is  near  !  " 

The  window,  if  she  could  have  found  it  in  the  dark, 
(for  the  sickly  dip  had  succumbed  to  the  rain-drops,) 


EYE-WITNESS.  245 

was  too  high  for  her  to  reach  ;  that  had  not  escaped 
her  quick  glance,  on  entering  the  room ;  and,  as 
there  was  no  other  way  of  communicating  with  per- 
sons without,  she  contented  herself  with  listening, 
oh,  so  wistfully  !  that  the  voice  might  sound  again. 
But  it  came  no  more. 

The  dreary  silence,  which  dragged  the  hours  of  the 
following  morning,  was  broken  by  the  thunder  of  ar- 
tillery. 

*'  They  are  but  trying  their  gims  at  the  forts,"  the 
watcher  in  the  Whitney  House  sighed ;  and  her 
hands,  which  she  had  clasped  in  an  ecstasy  of  de- 
light, as  the  report,  so  loud,  so  near,  brought  her  to 
her  feet,  with  the  shout,  "  They  have  come  at  last !  " 
dropped  to  her  side,  and  again  she  sank  upon  the 
floor. 

**  Who  have  come,  the  Yankees  ?  " 

As  Maggie  turned  to  reply,  she  met  the  wild  stare 
of  the  soldier,  who  had  been  roused  by  the  guns,  and 
was  now  supporting  himself  upon  his  elbow.  The 
light  from  the  window  fell  full  upon  both  faces ; 
their  eyes  met.  The  sick  man's,  then  unnaturally 
brilliant,  suddenly  dilated  with  irrepressible  joy  ;  a 
convulsive  twitching  of  the  lips  followed ;  then  his 
outstretched,  trembling  arms  sank  down,  his  eyes 
closed,  and  he  fell  back  upon  his  pallet. 

*' Poor  creature  !"  sighed  Maggie,  as  she  sprung 
to  his  side,  and  looked  down  upon  his  face,  stamped 
with  the  rigidity  of  death ;  ' '  can  it  be  there  is  life 
and  hope  for  you,  in  the  coming  of  the  Yankees?" 
As  she  spoke,  some  sudden  thouglit  made  her  scan 
closely  the  white,  gaunt  face  before  her. 

"It  is  the  Yankee  soldier,"  she  cried;    the  one 

21* 


246  EYE-WITNESS. 

Hany  said  must  die ;  but  how  could  so  benevolent  a 
heart  permit  this  poor  soul  to  be  so  neglected  ?  " 

The  door  of  the  room  was,  at  tliis  moment,  swung 
open  violently.  *'  Quick,  missis,  quick  !  "  her  keep- 
er shouted ;  "  them's  Yankee  guns.  Hear  'em  bust ! 
Gol-ee,  what  a  big  one  !  " 

Before  iSIaggie  could  offer  any  remonstrance  to  the 
movement,  she  was  thrust  into  the  apartment  as- 
signed her ;  she  saw  that  her  daily  food  was  spread, 
and  she  knew  that  the  closing  door  must  debar  her, 
for  another  long  day,  from  intercourse  from  without. 
Quickly  she  drew,  from  the  folds  of  her  dress,  her 
watch,  and  shook  it  before  her  excited  keeper.  As 
if  struck  with  a  magician's  wand,  the  door  stood  wide 
open. 

**  Dat  ar  is  a  real  beauty,  sure.  What  does  missis 
want  for  dat  ?  " 

*'  A  doctor,  medicines,  and  some  clothes,  for  the 
sick  soldier,  Dinah,  and  it  is  yours.  See,  these  are 
diamonds ;  some  one  will  buy  the  watch  of  you,  and 
give  you  a  handsome  sum  for  it." 

Dinah  held  out  her  black,  bony  hand ;  while  her 
hideously  ugly  face  glowed  with  the  exultant  joy 
which  the  possession  of  such  a  trinket  could  alone  ex- 
cite. 

*'  The  doctor  and  medicines,  first,  Dinah." 

The  eager  hands  fell,  and  a  scowl  heightened  the 
habitual  repulsiveness  of  that  brutal  face  ;  while,  in 
the  deep  gutturals  of  her  race,  she  muttered  :  "  Now, 
dis  minit !     White  folks  tink  niggers  cheat." 

*'  You,  Dinah,  do  as  I  bid  you." 

The  tone  and  the  resolute  eye,  which  denoted  the 
custom  to  command,  had  the  desired  effect. 

*'Yees,  missis,  Ise  off";"  and  the  heavy  door 
banged  to  behind  her. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

13TH  MARCH,    STORMING   THE   FORTS.  —  14TH,   FALL 
OF  NEWBERN. 

All  through  the  day,  to  the  music  of  shrieking 
shells,  men  formed,  and  ready  stood  for  the  conflict. 
Night  came,  and  there  was  no  attack.  Couriers  from 
the  forts  brought  to  the  city,  deserted  by  all  but 
women  and  children,  the  news  that  the  foe  were  draw- 
ing back,  staggered  by  the  formidable  barriers  which 
disputed  their  approach ;  and  a  general  feeling  of 
disappointment  prevailed. 

Hatteras  Inlet  and  Eoanoke  Island  had  fallen  into 
Yankee  hands,  because  of  criminal  delay  on  the  part 
of  somebody^  —  that  universal  author  of  all  mischief. 
But  now,  when  all  things  were  ready,  ''  with  their 
backs  to  Dixie,  the  foe  fled." 

It  was  a  bloodless  victory ;  the  proud  city  stood 
unscathed  by  shot  or  shell !  *'  No  prisoners,  no  tro- 
phies," and  the  crowd,  which  had  thronged  from  town 
and  country  to  see  the  fight,  sighed  heavily. 

Our  attention  is  particularly  attracted  to  an  old 
man,  who  had  seated  himself  upon  a  fallen  door-step. 
Two  hundred  miles  from  home  he  had  wandered,  to 
see  the  Yankees,  and  their  ''  terrorscopic  (telescopic) 
guns,  which  brought  Dixie  boys  slam  up  to  the 
muzzle,  and  dropped  'em  dead  without  makin'  a 
noise."     And   as,  with  sunset,  the  firing  ceased,  the 


248  EYE-WITNESS. 

last  hope  died  out ;  and  a  tear  dropped  do"vyii  the  pil- 
grim's cheek,  for  the  thought,  that  the  tale  to  be  told 
the  loved  mate,  watching  afar,  of  '^  Yankees  caught, 
and  the  particular  new  gun,"  was  as  dry  as  the  hoe- 
cake  in  the  bucket  by  his  side. 

« 
TTith  the  rising  sun  came  the  din  of  battle,  loud, 
fierce,  and  terrific.  High  noon  saw  Xewbern  a  city 
of  prodigious  confusion,  and  of  wild  turmoil ;  in 
broken  ranks,  and  bleeding  columns,  her  men  line 
the  shore,  crowd"  the  bridge,  and  flee  the  city's  streets, 
in  that  unparalleled  flight  to  Kinston. 

From  the  stifling  smoke  of  a  burning  house,  Liz- 
zie has  dra^vn  her  mistress.  Partially  revived,  she 
lays  in  her  servant's  arms,  but  wholly  be\vildered  by 
the  strange  sounds,  and  burning  sights,  around. 

Lizzie  points  to  the  house  from  which  they  had 
just  made  their  escape,  exclaiming:  "See,  missis, 
it's  all  fiery ;  it's  goin'.  Tank  de  Lord  you  ain't 
thar,  nor  nobody."  With  a  look  at  the  burning 
house,  full  consciousness  returned,  and  Maggie 
sprung  to  her  feet. 

« '  There's  a  soldier  there  !  He  must  not  die  ;  fol- 
low me ! " 

**  Hain't  nobody  thar,"  and  Maggie  was  held  back 
by  strong  arms. 

"  With  a  ^-iolent  effort,  the  frantic  girl  tore  herself 
from  her  servant's  grasp,  and  turned  towards  the 
Whitney  House,  but  her  flight  was  impeded  by  the 
soldier's  cot,  which  lay  directly  in  her  path. 

«'  Me  left  nobody  in  dat  ar  house,  to  be  burnt  up, 
missis." 

''  Thank  God,  Lizzie  ;  but  is  he  dead?"  and  she 
bent  down  to  the  pallet. 

*'  Only  stuffed  wid  smoke,  missis. 


EYE-WITNESS.  249 

,  «*  Take  him  home,  Lizzie  ;  for  the  city  will  soon 
be  completely  consumed.  Go  quickly,  and  you  will 
reach  the  shore  road  before  the  Yankees  come  up. 
See  !  the  bridge  is  already  in  a  light  blaze ;  fortu- 
nately the  wind  blows  from  the  house." 

' «  Missis  ain't  got  no  home  ;  'tis  burnt !  "  and  tears 
washed  the  dusky  face,  wliich,  with  her  concluding 
words,  she  hid  in  the  soldier's  blanket. 

**  Burnt!"  was  the  startled  reply;  but,  even  as 
Maggie  spake,  the  color  came  back  to  her  cheek,  and 
a  triumphant  smile  lighted  her  face,  aSj  pointing  to 
the  square,  where  the  "  stars  and  stripes"  had  just 
been  flung  to  the  breeze,  she  cried  :  — 

''  That  sight  is  more  than  the  wealth  of  the  whole 
world  to  me  !  " 

"  All's  gone,  missis,  but  de  kitchen,"  Lizzie  said, 
raising  her  head,  and  gazing  wonderingly  at  the  new 
flag,  —  the  flag  which  made  her  mistress  smile,  when 
she  had  not  where  to  lay  her  head. 

**  Take  him  there,  then  ;  I  w^ill  follow  directly." 

The  sight  of  the  black  heavens,  and  the  sweeping 
flames,  bursting  from  every  quarter  of  the  fired  city ; 
the  flight  of  a  tyrannic  host,  commingling  with  the 
thundering  shouts  of  victorious  bands,  which  swept 
up  the  Trent's  shores,  was,  to  the  lone  watcher  on 
the  church's  steps,  supremely,  awfully  grand.  Awe, 
adoration,  and  intense  joy  filled  her  soul ;  while  ec- 
static rapture  burst  from  her  lips,  as,  amid  the  smoke 
and  battling  flames,  her  eye  again  caught  sight  of  the 
nation's  ensign  tossing  high  its  broad  folds,  where, 
an  hour  before,  treason's  flag  flaunted  defiantly. 

Imminent  danger  from  cinders  and  falling  rafters 
warned  Maggie  that  she  must  not  longer  tarry.  With 
a  celerity  of  which  she  was  herself  unconscious,  she 


250  EYE-WITNESS. 

sped  down  the  river  road,  hoping  to  gain  a  woody 
bank  ere  hemmed  in  by  Yankee  soldiers,  to  whom 
the  burning  bridge  was  no  barrier ;  for  they  were 
fast  putting  oiF  in  boats  from  the  opposite  shore. 
The  bank  is  near ;  Maggie  has  reached  it,  and  so 
has  another,  —  a  bleeding  soldier,  struggling  with 
death . 

Her  wonian's  nature  is  at  once  aroused ;  and,  for- 
getting all  personal  danger  and  discomfort,  from  blaz- 
ing bridge-beams  falling  near,  she  stays  her  speed, 
and  bends  down  pityingly  over  the  sufferer. 

With  a  start  of  surprise,  she  raised  his  wounded 
head,  and  tenderly  wiped  the  blood  from  his  pain-dis- 
torted features,  but  no  other  emotion  escaped  her, 
as,  plainly,  she  recognized  the  familiar  lineaments  of 
her  bitterest  enemy,  —  Ralph  Bierce.  One  glance 
assured  her  that  his  life  was  fast  ebbino:  from  a  c:un- 
shot  wound  in  the  neck ;  one  arm  was  gone,  and  his 
clothes,  torn  and  shotted,  were  stern  reminders  of  the 
invincible  spirit,  which  still  wrestled  in  the  flesh. 

Knowing  that  her  strength  was  not  suflficient  to 
secure  for  her  charge,  who,  though  fully  conscious, 
was  unable  to  aid  himself,  the  protection  of  a  totter- 
ing shed  which  was  near,  she  concealed  him  behind 
a  clump  of  cedars  of  low  growth,  and  knelt  down  by 
his  side  to  watch  the  triumphant  approach  of  the  bat- 
tle-worn, blue-coated  victors,  as  on,  and  on  they 
came,  making  the  welkin  ring  with  pasans  of  victory. 
A  groan,  which  the  tortured  man  could  not  wholly 
suppress,  met  Maggie's  ear;  and  her  heart,  whose 
wild  pulse-beats  were  clapping  a  voiceless  welcome  to 
her  country's  defenders,  melted  at  once  to  pity. 

Her  resolution  was  taken.  A  soldier  had  left  the 
press,  and,  slackening  his  speed,  was  walking  within 


EYE-WITNESS.  251 

a  few  yards  of  the  secreted  ones.  '*  Ralph,  if  your 
enemy  is  as  humane  as  brave,  he  will  not  refuse  you 
aid  ;  for  myself,  I  have  no  fear  ;  a  valiant  soul  can- 
not be  without  honor."  As  she  spoke,  she  stepped 
within  sight,  and  motioned  the  straggler  to  approach. 
He  sprang  to  her  side. 

'<  Soldier,  —  "  she  stopped  abruptly  ;  then  grasped 
rapturously  the  extended  hand ;  for,  reader,  this  sol- 
dier, so  buoyantly  happy  with  the  day's  victory,  was 
none  other  than  Charles  Coxe. 

To  Maggie's  earnest  inquiries  concerning  the  friends 
who  had  escaped  with  him,  she  learned  of  their  safety 
among  unionists  under  Federal  protection. 

''  Harry  Blout,  what  of  him?"  she  eagerly  asked. 

"  He  is  here  to  answer  for  himself,"  shouted  a 
voice  from  behind. 

Mao^ci^ie's  start  ofdelis^ht,  when  turninof  she  recosf- 
nized  Harry,  and  the  warmth  of  their  greeting  showed 
how  strong  was  their  mutual  affection. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

THE   FLIGHT  FROM   NEWBEEN   TO   KENTSTON. 

'« By  my  life,  sir,  those  are  particular  loud  guns," 
and  so  all  the  crowd  thought,  which  thronged  Kin- 
ston  depot  the  morning  of  the  14th  of  March. 

*'  A  mistake,  certainly,  to  think  the  Yankees  could 
be  frightened  away  by  sight  of  our  forts ;  they  are 
trying  them,  it  seems." 

« '  Have  you  any  boys  in  the  fight  ?  "  asked  a  gen- 
tleman approaching  the  speaker. 

*'  I  hope  so." 

< '  How  many  ?  "  cried  out  a  watcher  down  the  road. 

"Four,  as  particular  brave  boys  as  you  can  find 
the  Confederacy  through." 

"  In  what  forts  ?  " 

**  Two  in  Dixie,  and  two  in  Lane;  they're  hav- 
ing some  sport  this  morning,  I  reckon ;  its  what 
they  have  been  mad  after,  and  now  I  hope  they  '11 
fix  the  things  up  handsomely.  "  Have  you  seen  our 
forts  below  ?  "  questioned  the  proud  father,  compla- 
cently rubbing  his  bearded  chin. 

*'  I  am  a  stranger  in  these  parts." 

"  Going  down  with  us,  next  train,  to  see  the  dogs 
kennelled,  eh?  " 

"  It  is  my  purpose  to  go  to  Newbern.  What  hour 
does  the  train  leave  ?  " 

*'  Four  o'clock.     She's  due  here  now  in  ten  min- 


EYE-WITNESS.  253 

utes.  Shall  have  glorious  news  by  her  !  —  glori- 
ous !  " 

* '  What  force  is  Burnside  supposed  to  have  be- 
low?" 

*'  Forty-thousand,  not  a  man  less." 

<«Andwe?" 

*  *  Why  our  forts  are  worth  to  us  double  that  num- 
ber of  men  ;  and,  sir,  if  the  Yankees  have  been  fool- 
hardy enough  to  attack  them,  overwhelming  defeat 
will  be  the  result." 

*  <  To  judge  by  sound  alone  the  Yankees  have  made 
something  of  a  stand." 

*<  Shelling  the  woods,  shelling  the  woods  to  cover 
their  retreat.  It  takes  a  mighty  sight  of  such  music 
to  set  them  up  for  a  fight,  and  a  heap  more  to  call 
them  back  to  the  black  devils." 

'*  Then  yesterday's  cannonading  was  shelling  to 
protect  the  landing  of  the  troops  ?  " 

'*  Exactly  ;  we  about  here  thought  the  attack  had 
been  made  and  given  up  ;  it  was  a  mistake,  however." 

* '  Burnside  seems  to  be  a  cautious  general ;  he 
moves  slowly  enough,  certainly." 

*  *  There 's  not  much  fight  in  the  man  anyhow ; 
he's  got  a  fair  office  and  fair  pay,  and  he  can't  very 
well  help  fighting  'so,  so,'  when  we  give  him  so 
good  a  chance  as  we  did,  at  Koanoke.  You  've 
heard  what  the  boys  say  of  him  ?  " 

"  I  see  by  the  State  papers  he  treats  his  prisoners 
handsomely,  and  in  one  of  them,  I  think,  I  saw  stated 
that  he  gave  a  dinner  party,  where  our  boys  and  the 
Yankees  mingled  promiscuously ;  and  that,  to  some 
of  our  officers  he  remarked,  '  he  had  no  heart  for 
such  an  unchristian  war ;  that  Massachusetts  and 
South  Carolina  had  kicked  up  the  row  and  should 
22 


254  EYE-WITNESS. 

fight  it  out  among  themselves.'     That,  however,  is 
newspaper  trash ;  I  dont  believe  a  word  of  it." 

'*  Don't  believe  it?  sir,  —  I've  seen  the  man, 
who  heard  him  say  it." 

**  Just  so.  I,  also,  have  seen  several  who  indulge 
in  very  extravagant  talk;  the  taller  the  story,  the 
bigger  the  hero,  usually.  I  would  like  to  know  if 
Burnside  was  graduated  at  West  Point  or  no  ?  " 

*<  A  West  Point  graduate! — no.  Like  'Brute 
Butler'  he  was  a  down-east  lawyer,  second-rate  at 
that.'" 

«*But  we  must  acknowledge,  as  General  com- 
manding, his  first  strike  was  n't  a  bad  one  for  him." 
*'  Circumstances  were  not  in  our  favor  at  Roanoke, 
certainly,  but  let  me  tell  you,  Newbern  is  a  shoal  for 
Burnside  and  his  men,  which  >vrecks  the  whole  of 
them!" 

' '  I  see  we  differ  essentially  in  our  estimate  of 
Burnside's  ability.  I  will  acknowledge,  that  his 
success  at  Poanoke  led  me  to  infer  Newbern  might 
succumb  to  his  creditable  skill  and  energy ;  and  at 
the  risk  of  being  taken." 

*'  What,  sir,  what !  Xewbern  taken  !  Newbern, 
the  Gibraltar  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  captured  by  these 
Yankee  marauders  !  By  my  life,  sir,  the  idea  is  —  " 
The  speaker  checked  himself,  and,  drawing  up  to  the 
stranger,  took  him  by  the  buttonliole,  saying,  *'You 
told  me  you  were  unacquainted  in  these  parts.  I  be- 
lieve it,  sir  ;  I  believe  it.  We  go  down  together  in 
the  evening  train,  and  it  will  give  me  infinite  satis- 
faction to  show  you  some  of  our  works  below,  built 
without  regard  to  expense  or  labor ;  then,  sir,  you 
will  acknowledge  that  they  are  impregnable  !  "  Prais- 
ing  his  head,  and   drawing   himself  up  to  his  full 


EYE-WITNESS.  255 

height,  he  added  :  **  Show  me  the  general,  show  me 
the  men,  who  can  raze  one  stone  of  that  city  yonder, 
(pointing  in  the  direction  of  Newbern,)  and  I  will 
prove  —  " 

The  sentence  was  unfortunately  lost,  and  the  whis- 
tle of  the  approaching  train  effectually  silenced  further 
conversation. 

The  train  swept  up,  —  and  on  !  at  a  rate  of  speed 
quite  as  unprecedented,  on  that  road,  as  the  event  of 
Kinston  being  overlooked  as  a  way-station.  Cries 
that  the  engineer  was  mad,  or  drunk,  burst  from  the 
now  terribly  earnest  throng,  and  a  general  rush  was 
made  to  the  telegraphic  office,  to  notify  the  stations 
ahead,  of  the  coming  train.  After  an  hour  of  fear- 
ful suspense,  a  second  train  appeared.  The  shrieks 
of  women,  the  groans  of  wounded  soldiers,  and  the 
bitter,  bitter  lamentations  of  panic-stricken  fugitives, 
heralded  the  fall  of  Newhern  ! 

Had  the  heavens  been  rent  in  twain,  had  the  sev- 
enth trumpet  sounded  the  end  of  all  things  earthly, 
more  appalling  consternation  could  not  have  congealed 
the  blood,  and  set  the  features  of  the  lookers-on  rigid 
as  death,  than  did  the  cry,  '*  The  Yankees  are  in  New- 
bern  !  " 

A  young  soldier,  lively  and  pert,  sprung  from  the 
cars,  shouting  — 

*'  Newbern's  done,  gone  !  Yanks  hold  Newbern  ! 
No  need  of  a  scare,  women  and  children ;  it's  an 
hour  yet  'fore  they  '11  be  here  ! "  then,  clapping  his 
hands  into  his  pockets,  he  struck  for  town,  whistling 
*'  Dixie,"  vehemently. 

*'  My  sonl" 

**Howd'y,  old  man?"  and  the  happy  father  of 
the  morning  pressed  to  his  heart  one  of  his  '  *  four 
orave  boys." 


256  EYE-WITNESS. 

"  JN'ewbem's  done,  old  man." 

*'  God's  wrath  is  on  us,"  groaned  the  trembling 
parent,  supporting  himself  by  placing  both  hands 
upon  the  boy's  shoulders  ;  *'  but  where's  Hal,  Dick, 
and  Johnny  ?  " 

"  You  see  there  was  a  mighty  long  run  'fore  us, 
and,  as  I'm  reckoned  a  fast  one  in  the  chase,  I  out- 
stripped our  brigade  to  a  man,  and  got  to  the  cars  in 
the  nick  of  time." 

' '  The  Yankees  are  pushing  on  this  way  ?  "  was 
the  trembling  query. 

* '  I  reckon  they  are  that ;  but  don't  be  so  scary  ;  you 
are  as  shaky  as  them  women  yonder.  There's  no 
way  of  escape  now  but  to  take  the  next  train  for  — 
for  —  I'm  beat  to  know  where  a  fellow  can  crawl, 
where  '  Yanks'  can't  worry  him  !  It's  prodigious  fits 
they  've  givin'  us  to-day ;  that's  so." 

'*  Where's  your  gun,  boots,  cap,  boy?  "  asked  the 
father  of  the  panting  heart,  who,  rejoicing  in  pants 
and  shirt,  thought  a  whole  skin,  a  fair  exchange  for 
supernumeraries  left  on  the  wind. 

"  It's  particular  little  use  such  traps  are,  to  a  fel- 
low who  looks  to  his  legs  for  his  life.  I  tell  you 
what,  there's  mighty  spoil  for  the  '  Yanks,'  on  the 
road  between  here  and  the  forts  !  " 

A  prolonged  shout  down  the  road  was  at  this  mo- 
ment heard,  which  caused  the  pulse  of  Kinston  to 
stand  still ;  while  eyes,  distended  with  horror,  vainly 
strove  to  pierce  the  heavy  dust-cloud  which  marked 
the  approach  of  coming  horsemen.  It  lifts  at  length, 
and,  not  Buraside  and  his  wiconqnerahle  legions  ap- 
pear, but  Gen,  Ru?m,  his  staff,  and  a  goodly  number 
of  men,  on  bleeding,  foam-flecked  horses,  in  the  mad 
gallop  for  life ! 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

ANNIE    m'GOWAN'S   LETTER. — A  FRIEND   IS   FOUND. 

Annie  McGowan's  letter  to  her  mother  at  Salis- 
bury :  — 

"  [N'ewbern,  May  1. 

'*  Cousin  Harry — he  insists  upon  my  claiming 
that  relationship  —  leaves  here  with  a  flag  of  truce, 
to-morrow,  for  Secessia.  He  goes  to  seek  a  dear 
friend,  a  jMr.  Whedden,  whom  he  concealed,  some- 
where in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  from  the 
rage  of  the  Rebels.  He  says,  <  write  what  you  please, 
and  as  much,'  that  no  eye  but  your  own  shall  see  it, 
mamma,  for  he  gives  it  into  your  own  hand. 

'« Dear,  dear  mamma,  not  an  hour  in  the  day  but 
yom-  image  fills  my  heart,  and  I  dream  of  you  night- 
ly, ever  watching  for  one  glimpse  of  papa  and  Frank 
from  behind  prison  doors.  But,  mamma,  our  peo- 
ple will  soon  look  up,  and  be  free  !  for  Burnside  is 
comijig!  he  is!  he  is!  You,  and  Percy's  mamma, 
must  whisper  the  glorious  news  to  loved,  imprisoned 
ones,  and  to  all  hearts  faint  with  watching  and  wait- 
ing for  him. 

'«  They  tell  me  I  am  too  sanguine  ;  that  it  will  take 
time,  and  a  greater  army  than  Bm-nside  has  here,  to 
reach  Salisbury.  I  cannot  I  will  not  believe  it, 
for  did   not  the  General  say  to-day,  —  when  some 

22* 


258  EYE-WITXESS. 

Newbern  ladies  sought  permission  of  him  to  accom- 
pany the  flag,  which  goes  to  Kinston  to-morrow,  — 
'  Patience,  ladies,  I  can  promise  you  the  escort  of 
my  army  as  far  as  Raleigh,  in  a  few  days.' 

' '  One  of  the  party  said  she  made  answer :  '  If 
we  wait  for  you  and  your  army  to  escort  us  to  our 
kin-people,  we  shall  be  palsied  witli  age,  and  lep- 
rous from  contact  with  creatures  purgatory  would  re- 
fuse to  hold.'  Harry  tells  me  no  such  reply  was 
made ;  that  one  lady  with  a  saucy  toss  of  her  head, 
said  — 

'*  *  What  right,  Gen.  Burnside,  have  you  and 
your  army  here  ?  debarring  us  — ' 

*'  *  The  right  of  conquest,  madam,'  said,  the  Gen- 
eral, interrupting ;  and,  with  a  motion  of  his  hand, 
he  intimated  that  the  interview  was  over. 

' '  Harry  declares  he  shall  go  on  with  Burnside  and 
his  army ;  and  that  no  hand  but  his  own  shall  knock 
the  bolts  from  the  Bastile  at  Salisbury,  and  bid  loyal 
souls  come  forth  to  welcome  the  old  flag  and  its 
plucky  defenders.  He  is  to  plant  the  flag  v>-hich  I 
have  made  upon  the  smoking  stones  of  the  prison ; 
for  it  is  to  be  burnt  to  the  ground,  and  not  one  stone 
is  to  be  left  upon  another,  to  prate  of  the  suflPering 
braves  once  shut  out  from  the  living  world  by  so 
fiendish  a  clique  of  Guy  Fawkeses  as  are  now  strug- 
gling for  unlimited  power. 

*'  And  now  you  shall  hear  Magic's  secret,  — '  that 
one  thing  secured,  which  makes  her  happiness  com- 
plete.' This  it  is  ;  Captain  Carver,  whose  acquaint- 
ance Frank  and  I  made  while  North,  is  here  !  and  owes 
his  life,  he  says,  to  Maggie,  to  whom  he  was  be- 
trothed some  vears  a 2:0  ! 

**  Thus  the  conjectures  of  the  world,  that  the  de- 


EYE-WITXESS.  259 

votion  of  the  cousins  would  result  in  ultimate  union, 
are  dissipated  by  the  reappearance  of  the  one  long 
mourned  as  dead.  And,  if  the  astounding  discovery, 
that  the  Yankee  prisoner  was  none  other  than  Cap- 
tain Carver,  ]\Iaggie's  fiance,  whom,  report  said  had 
paid  the  terrible  debt  to  fate,  while  cruising  on  the 
African  shore,  has  robbed  Harry's  heart  of  a  dearly 
cherished  hope,  no  act,  no  word  of  his  will  publish 
it,  further  than  what  he  said  to  me,  when  speaking 
of  this  most  unlooked-for  event.  '  Maggie's  happi- 
ness is  my  happiness  ;  and  if  in  hers  the  chain  is 
broken,  which  might  have  fettered  my  soul  in  the 
performance  of  my  vow  to  aid  in  crushing  this  terri- 
ble Rebellion,  it  is  my  duty  cheerfully  to  submit.' 

*'  And,  mamma,  what  better  proof  can  we  have  of 
his  truly  sincere  and  noble  nature,  than  is  shown  in 
his  entire  devotedness  to  Captain  Carver,  and  his 
pure,  unselfish  participation  in  Maggie's  joy,  that 
her  heart's  first  love  is  restored. 

*'  The  Captain  was  overjoyed  to  see  me,  and  spoke 
so  confidently  of  being  himself  soon,  under  such 
nurses  as  Harry,  Maggie,  and  myself,  that  he  has 
made  me  as  hopeful  of  his  ultimate  recovery  as  he 
is  himself. 

*'  At  his  request,  I  told  him  all  that  had  occurred 
since  we  parted  in  Philadelphia.  Harry  had  already 
informed  him  of  Frank's  imprisonment  for  saying 
*  the  war  was  unjust  and  wholly  unnecessary  ; '  and, 
as  I  concluded,  he  drew  me  down  to  his  side,  say- 
ing —  ^ 

"  *  You  have  indeed  told  me  a  sad,  sad  tale,  and 
shown  me,  that  even  a  little  hand  like  tliis  can  crip- 
ple the  wolf,  which  twice  broke  into  the  fold.' 
Color  came  into  his  sunken  cheeks,  and  his  eyes  were 


260    "  EYE-WITNESS. 

unnaturally  bright  as  he  added,  *  this  state  of  things 
cannot  last  long,  for  you  have  Burnside  and  his 
"  boys  "  on  your  soil,  Annie.  Would  to  God  every 
State  in  the  Confederacy  could  say  as  yours,  '  our 
saviours  have  crossed  the  tlu^eshold  —  the  portals 
beyond  must  unclose  at  their  bidding.' 

*<  What  he  told  me  of  his  last  cruise,  — he  was  a 
captain  in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  — and  of  his  overwhelm- 
ing sm-prise  and  regret  on  his  return,  to  find  his  coun- 
try in  a  state  of  civil  feud,  and  no  less  agreeable  news 
awaiting  him  on  reaching  his  native  State,  —  that  of 
being  numbered  among  the  dead,  (a  brother-officer 
of  the  same  name  had  sickened  and  died  in  the  trop- 
ics,) I  have  not  time  to  detail  now  ;  and  so  will  only 
repeat  the  disasters  w^hich  followed  his  embarking  for 
active  service.  South.     These  are  his  words  :  — 

'*  '  The  ship,  in  wliich  I  sailed  from  New  York, 
was  wrecked  off  this  coast  last  October,  and,  with 
the  survivors  of  another  wreck,  I  was  brought  to  this 
town.  Exposure  and  subsequent  imprisonment 
brought  on  fever  ;  but,  through  the  untuing  exertions 
of  a  Dr.  Pill,  my  own  and  comrades'  sufferings  were 
not  only  mitigated,  but  our  escape  effected  on  the 
night  preceding  the  day  w^hich  was  to  see  us  removed 
to  Salisbury.  An  attack  upon  this  city  was  then 
daily  expected ;  and  the  jailer  said,  *' Old  prisoners 
must  be  sent  off  to  make  room  for  new  ones."  I  w^as 
too  weak  to  be  removed  far,  and,  after  that  first  night, 
was  entrusted  to  the  care  of  a  free  neofro.  From  the 
hour  of  our  escape,  I  have  not  seen  Dr.  Pill ;  and 
that  other  friend  wdio  occasionally  visited  the  prison, 
but  once,  —  the  day  he  brought  the  nurse  to  my  cot, 
and  told  her  I  was  a  sick  man  sent  up  from  Beaufort. 
He  promised  to  pay  her  well  if  she  did  her  duty  faith- 


EYE-WITNESS.  261 

fully,  and  said,  on  leaving,  he  should  call  daily.     He 
never  came  again. 

<  *  *  The  Provost  Marshal  had  use  for  the  house 
■which  we  occupied,  and  had  us  removed  into  a  dilapi- 
dated building  in  the  heart  of  the  city.  The  removal 
was  made  in  the  midst  of  a  drenching  rain,  and,  tak- 
ing a  severe  cold,  a  relapse  of  fever  followed.  For 
days  I  was  unconscious ;  once  it  seemed  as  if  I  lay 
on  the  battle-field,  dying  of  thh'st,  so  hidden  from 
sight  as  to  escape  the  observation  of  the  ambulance 
corps.  The  flitting  of  the  death-angel,  whose  icy 
touch  had  chilled  to  endless  rest  thousands  on  the 
same  bloody  plain,  drew  near.  A  vague  sensation 
of  some  loved  presence  at  my  side  made  me  turn  from 
the  stern  figure  bending  over  me,  and  I  heard  a  voice 
which  thrilled  my  inmost  being.  I  kne\v  it,  Annie  ; 
it  was  not  unlike  your  own.  I  was  spellbound. 
Once  the  voice  ceased,  and  again  came  the  flutter  of 
those  dark  wino;s  :  but  the  sons^,  which  was  to  me 
the  elixir  of  life,  rose  up  anew.  The  delightful 
trance,  which  followed,  I  cannot  describe  satisfacto- 
rily ;  a  beautiful  being  seemed  ever  to  be  leading  me 
on  by  her  bewdtching  notes,  by  silvery  streams,  up 
beauteous  banks,  through  fields  redolent  with  nature's 
blooms.  On  and  on  we  went,  she  ever  turned  from 
me,  ever  eluding  niy  grasp.  By  a  limpid  pool,  she 
lingered  a  moment,  and,  in  its  placid  waters,  I  saw 
her  face  reflected.  It  was  my  own  dear  Maggie  !  I 
shouted  her  name  ;  she  was  gone  !  only  a  tiny  ripple 
told  me  where  the  wavelets  closed  over  her.  I  tried 
to  follow,  but  my  feet  clung  to  the  ground ;  then  — 
But  no  matter,  Annie  ;  I  was  but  dreaming.  Burnside's 
guns  aroused  me  ;  the  first  peal  brought  me  upright, 
and  there  was  my  own  lost  Maggie  by  my  side  ! ' 


262  EYE-WITXESS. 

**  *  How  did  she  discover  you?  '  I  asked,  burning 
with  impatience  to  hear  the  denouement, 

"  'I  could  not  wait  to  be  found  out ;  I  said  '*  Mar- 
garet," when  she  had  finished  tying  up  my  head,  the 
morning  following  the  Xewbern  battle.' 

''  '  Oh  !  what  did  she  say?' 

*'  *  Ask  her  ;  here  she  comes,'  was  the  smiling  re- 
joinder ;  and  the  glance,  which  welcomed  Maggie  to 
his  side,  almost  made  me  envious  of  her  happiness. 

**  1  asked  Harry  about  Maggie's  imprisonment. 
He  said,  '  She  never  alludes  to  it,  it  was  fraught  with 
so  much  suffering  to  Horace ;  her  faithful  servant, 
Lizzie,  had  tracked  her  mistress,  and  rescued  her, 
Capt.  Carver,  and  several  others,  from  the  burning 
house  where  they  were  imprisoned  ;  that  he  came  up 
with  Burnside's  army,  and  met  Maggie  on  the  shore 
road,  protecting  the  almost  lifeless  body  of  Ealph 
Bierce  ;  he  was  carried  to  a  house  near,  and  nursed 
by  Maggie  until  he  breathed  his  last ;  he  left  papers 
in  her  charge  for  his  sister  Helen,  requesting  her  to 
read  before  deliverins^  them.' 

**  The  Bierce  family,  Harry  thinks,  must  have  left 
in  the  panic,  and,  although  letters  have  been  written 
by  several  *  flags,'  no  news,  as  yet,  has  come  from 
them.  Harry  is  very  confident  he  shall  find  them 
during  his  sojourn  in  Secessia. 

*«  I  was  pleased  to  hear,  in  your  last  letter  to  me, 
that  Carrie  was  married  to  her  dear  Captain.  But 
what  can  be  Sallie  Prue's  feelings,  now  her  *  hero'  is 
dead?  She,  that  exacted  such  a  promise  from  him 
before  he  left,  to  bring  her  trophies  of  the  enemies ; 
that  looks  to  the  days  of  Indian  warfare  for  example. 
His  sufferings  must  have  been  intense.  To  think  of 
his  lying  on  the  battle-field  three  days  and  nights,  — 


EYE-WITNESS.  263 

and  died  before  reaching  the  hospital.  How  sad  ! 
She  never  saw  him  again  after  he  made  that  vow  to 
her,  that  memorable  night  of  the  ball. 

'*Xow,  mamma,  agreeably  to  my  promise,  you 
shall  have  the  particulars  of  my  trip  here  ;  every  in- 
cident, as  it  transpired,  I  put  upon  paper  on  the  spot, 
and  here  you  have  them,  strung  in  as  straight  a  line 
as  the  parlor  chairs  when  Lucy  *  rights  up  to  order.' 

**  From  Salisbury  to  Kinston,  long  faces,  dust, 
and  universal  commotion  at  any  unusual  sound  ;  but 
no  surprise,  and  Kinston  was  reached  in  safety.  A 
delay  there  of  a  few  days  ;  multitudinous  questions 
asked,  and  answered  or  parried  as  suited  us  best ;  at 
last,  came  the  official  announcement :  *  The  flag  was 
ready,  and  the  ambulance  approaching  the  hotel.' 

*'  With  a  bounding  heart,  I  bade  uncle  good  by, 
and  sent  a  kiss  back  to  you,  and  the  dear  imprisoned 
ones. 

* '  Hear  now  what  a  novel  kind  of  a  vehicle  a  Se- 
cesh  ambulance  is ;  a  very  large  milk-cart,  minus 
cans,  with  seats  like  an  omnibus,  made  of  hard  pine, 
only  rendered  comfortable  by  sitting  on  one's  satchel ; 
wheels  immense, — just  such  ones  as  Noah  would 
have  fashioned  for  his  ark,  if,  on  land,  it  had  been 
ordained  to  trundle  durino^  that  lonoj  nio^ht  of  merited 
punishment.  I  can  sincerely  say  the  felicity  of  rising 
gently  up  and  falling  as  quietly  down  of  carriage  mo- 
tion, can  never  be  fully  appreciated  until  one  has  en- 
dured the  compound  jolting  of  a  springless  ambulance 
wagon  on  one  of  our  «  particular  bad  roads,'  during 
the  long  hours  of  a  day,  and  not  a  few  of  the  night 
also.  But  all  discomfort  was  swallowed  up  in  the 
enjoyment  afforded  me  by  my  travelling  compan- 
ions' grievous    complaints   of  what   their  folly  had 


264  EYE-WITNESS. 

brought  upon  themselves.  There  were  six  ladies  and 
myself  in  the  ambulance  ;  and,  with  the  exception  of 
one,  from  their  conversation,  I  should  judge  they 
were  on  *  their  journey  home.'  Two  of  them  were 
wives  of  officers  taken  in  a  recent  skkmish  on  the 
road  we  were  travelling,  then  on  their  way  to  the 
Yankees,  hoping  to  be  allowed  to  go  North  to  share 
their  husbands'  captivity.  The  other  four  were  in 
search  of  effects  left  behind,  and,  if  permission  were 
granted  them,  to  remain  within  Federal  lines.  All 
were  bitter  Secessionists,  and  it  is  certainly  not  un- 
becoming in  me  to  avow  that,  from  my  heart,  I 
wished  that  those  whom  they  so  unmercifully  reviled, 
might  refuse  them  every  petition  they  made.  Some 
little  idea  of  then-  conversation  may  be  gathered  from 
the  following,  which,  if  not  very  courteously  worded, 
was  certainly  expressive  of  decidedly  ruffled  feelings. 

(Young  lady  left  behind  in  the  Newbern  panic)  — 
**  *  It  is,  indeed,  too  true  that  the  conductor,  and  not 
the  terrified  passengers,  who  put  him  up  to  disobey 
orders,  is  the  special  object  of  our  gallant  General's 
wrath.  He  has  avowed  his  determination  to  have 
him  strung  up  when  caught.  There  is  but  httle  fear 
of  his  threat  being  carried  into  execution,  if  it  hap- 
pens he  is  as  good  at  running  as  our  General  himself.' 

(My  neighbor) — "  *  Why  speak  so  disrespect- 
fully of  Gen.  Runn?  He  certainly  did  all  a  man 
could  do  on  that  disastrous  day.  The  militia  would 
run,  and  a  panic  followed.' 

(Her  vis-a-vis)  — 


"  *  In  all  the  trade  of  war,  there  is  no  feat 
So  noble  as  a  brave  retreat.' 


EYE-WITNESS.  265 

**  '  Gen.  Kunn  led  this  rout  in  person,  and,  for  the 
deed  so  nobly  done,  his  name  should  be  written  upon 
the  brightest  page  of  American  history  !  ' 

(Strange  lady) — ' '  *  Ladies,  you  labor  under  a  gross 
mistake  if  you  attribute  the  defeat  at  Newbern,  and 
that  most  disgraceful  rout,  to  mismanagement  on  the 
part  of  Gen.  Runn.  He  was  not,  to  my  certain 
knowledge.  General  commanding.  Upon  Gen.  De- 
Leigh  rests  the  entire  responsibility.' 

(Lady  No.  4)  —  *«  *  Gen.  DeLeigh?  No,  madam, 
that  cannot  be  ;  for,  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  he  was 
at  Goldsborough,  unfit  for  service.' 

(Stranger)  —  «"  Eeport  says  he  was  beastly  intoxi- 
cated ;  be  that  as  it  may,  he  was  not  on  the  field,  al- 
though he  had  orders  from  the  Commander-in-chief 
to—' 

(First  speaker,  interrupting)  — <«  «  That  is  the  way 
blunders  are  tossed  from  shoulder  to  shoulder.  Gen. 
Runn  may  be  a  worthy  citizen,  and  a  fau'  politician, 
but  a  general  he  is  not ! ' 

{Vis-a-vis J  with  a  mocking  laugh)  — <'  «  There  is 
an  aroma  about  run-down  politicians,  particularly 
grateful  to  the  olfactories  of  our  incomparable  Presi- 
dent.' 

(My  neighbor)  —  *'  «  Well,  ladies,  we  are  fortu- 
nate, and  we  may  congratulate  ourselves  that  we  are 
so,  —  that  afiiairs  for  us  are  no  worse.  Had  the 
Yankees  followed  up  their  successes,  Goldsborough, 
Raleigh,  and  who  doubts  but  the  entire  State,  would 
have  fallen  into  their  hands ;  for,  so  far  as  I  can 
learn,  the  late  rout  extended,  not  only  throughout 
eastern,  but  middle  Carolina.  To  whom  is  such  un- 
paralleled cowardice  chargeable?  Certainly,  not  to 
23 


2GQ  EYE-WITNESS. 

our  soldiers,  but  to  the  lack  of  ability,  and  criminal 
neglect,  of  the  officers  who  command  them.' 

(Stranger,  sharply)  —  '«  '  If,  in  your  censure, 
you  include  Gen.  Kunn,  you  malign  a  character  you 
know  nothing  of.  He  is  fully  exonerated  from  the 
blame  of  the  late  defeat,  which  was,  at  first,  attached 
to  him.  If  not  convinced  of  the  truth  of  my  asser- 
tion, J,  liis  sister,  have  a  letter  from  headquarters, 
which,  on  perusal,  will  satisfy  the  most  prejudiced 
among  you.' 

' '  An  unbroken  silence  followed  the  speaker's  em- 
phatic words  ;  perhaps  the  ladies  felt  some  compunc- 
tions of  conscience  for  their  free  speech ;  if  so,  they 
expressed  none. 

''  Our  escort,  consisting  of  twenty  horsemen,  were 
finely  mounted ;  a  turn  in  the  road  would  conceal 
them  from  view,  and  another  would  fully  display  the 
prancing  horses  and  their  unarmed  riders,  the  white 
flag  being  their  only  shield  from  the  foe,  which  one 
of  the  ladies  declared,  in  great  trepidation,  she  saw 
dodging  behind  the  oaks,  pines,  and  alders,  which 
lined  the  road  on  either  side. 

*'  I  knew  we  were  not  within  Yankee  lines,  and, 
although  greatly  excited  myself,  as  every  moment 
brought  us  nearer  the  '  blue-coats,'  I  laughed  im- 
moderately at  the  fears  of  the  others,  when,  as  was  of- 
ten the  case,  the  escort  was  quite  out  of  sight ;  which 
occasioned  the  remark,  ^  I  appeared  as  merry  as  if  on 
a  picnic,  instead  of  approaching  a  den  of  robbers 
and  murderers.' 

* « With  night  shadows  the  escort  surrounded  the 
ambulance,  the  flag-bearer  keeping  a  few  yards  in 
advance,  which  occasioned  a  livelier  conversation 
than  had  hitherto  prevailed.     It  was,  however,  start- 


EYE-WITNESS.  267 

lingly  interrupted  by  a  volley  of  musketry,  fearfully 
near. 

*  <  '  Halt ! '  from  our  Captain  followed. 

**'We  shall  go  no  farther  to-night,  ladies,' was 
his  remark  as  he  cantered  up  with  his  company,  after 
a  reconnoisance  down  the  road.  <  Our  pickets  have 
been  driven  in  by  an  attacking  party,  how  formidable 
we  cannot  ascertain.  A  short  ride  farther,'  he  added, 
*  would  have  brought  us  to  a  well-furnished  but  de- 
serted house ;  unfortunately,  the  enemy  are  much 
nearer  than  we  expected,  which  circumstance  will 
constrain  you  to  accept  such  accommodations  for  the 
nio^ht  as  the  forest  alone  will  afford.' 

'*  The  descent  from  the  wagon  was  slow  and  pain- 
ful ;  some  of  its  occupants  shook  violently,  and  the 
officer's  hand  which  lifted  me  from  my  high  perch, 
was,  I  remarked,  exceedingly  tremulous. 

*' Around  the  bivouac  fire  we  gathered,  and  al- 
though the  laugh  and  jest  were  forced,  they  were  re- 
sorted to  as  the  only  means  available  to  ciu'tain  from 
sight  the  phantom  army  wliich  the  fitful  blaze  dis- 
closed, now  at  the  right,  then  at  the  left  of  the  fear- 
smitten  ones,  cowerino:  under  the  white  flutterinor  en- 
sign,  —  their  only  defence.  To  beguile  the  long 
hours  of  that  anxious  night,  the  suggestion  '  that 
the  pines  should  be  dressed  in  white,  and  that  a  gen- 
eral illumination  should  announce  to  the  hoverino: 
marauders  that  the  legitimate  owners  of  the  soil 
deigned  to  hold  parley  with  them,'  was  heartily 
acted  upon.  Soon,  huge  piles  of  light-Avood  blaze  lit 
up  far-reaching  vistas  ;  and  the  white  drapery  which 
the  trunks  supplied,  floating  from  bough  and  pine- 
top,  brought  the  comforting  thought  of  protecting 
angels.     Intense  excitement  kept  all  eyes  open,  but 


268  EYE -WITNESS. 

no  alarm  sounded ;  and,  at  daybreak,  *  guardian  an- 
gels '  were  packed  up,  fires  stamped  out,  and  flag- 
bearer,  escort,  and  ambulance  formed  into  line. 

*'  '  We  have  all  seen  Yankees,'  said  my  neigbbor, 
as  the  falling  back  of  the  horsemen  intimated  that 
the  prospect  was  fair  those  we  sought  were  near. 

*''I  never  have,' I  whispered,  for,  mamma,  that 
term  rightly  belongs  to  Xew  Englanders,  and  I  was 
sure  I  had  never  seen  any  of  them.  AVhat  followed 
was  too  low  for  my  ear  to  catch,  except,  '  thin  lips, 
infallible  sign  of  cupidity  and  insensibility  ;  for  per- 
sonal appearance,  imagine  a  shoat  playing  the  dandy, 
and,  wdth  all  the  egotistical  obtrusiveness  of  the  race, 
knocking  one's  feet  from  under  if  one  dares  dispute 
the  right  of  way.  The  monsters  !  (spoken  more 
loudly)  one  would  demean  one's  self  to  look  at 
them;  I  never  will.' 

'*  *  Nor  I,  nor  no  lady  or  miss  would,'  said  my 
vis-a-vis,  bowing  to  me. 

*'  '  Not  less  in  the  physique  than  in  the  soldierly 
bearing  of  our  escort  will  the  comparison  hold  good. 
See  !  yonder  they  are  !  '  cried  Gen.  Eunn's  sister, 
liftinor  her  fino^er. 

"  A  bend  in  the  road,  and  the  Yankees  were  be- 
fore us  !  all  blue,  all  fire,  all  pluck. 

^'  Captain  Guier  took  the  flag  and  advanced  to 
meet  the  Yankee  officer,  who  had  dismounted  and 
was  approaching  us.  I  glanced  at  my  companions, 
and  discovered  that  they  were  not  only  looking  at 
but  returning  the  bold  stare  of  the  foe  ^^'ith  haughty 
insolence.  Bright  were  their  faces,  dressed  '  in  an- 
ger's flush,'  as  the  consciousness  of  their  humiliating 
position  was  thrust  home  by  the  self-satisfied  smile 
which  shone  on  the  resolute,  but  awfully  bearded 
faces  before  us. 


EYE-WITNESS.  269 

**  *  Pity  they  could  not  hide  their  base  deeds,  as 
they  do  their  hatefid  faces,'  was  whispered,  and  many 
remarks  of  like  nature  went  round,  to  which,  how- 
ever, I  paid  no  heed  ;  for  I  was  intent  in  my  scrutiny 
to  find  one  point  of  resemblance  between  the  digni- 
fied bearing  of  the  Northern  officer,  who  stood  head 
and  shoulders  above  Captain  Guier,  and  the  dandy 
grunter  of  the  ditch. 

**  *  You  must  wait  patiently,'  said  our  gallant  Cap- 
tain, approaching,  *  until  word  comes  from  Gen. 
Burnside  whether  the  flag  will  be  received.' 

*'  The  delay,  which  the  others  pronounced  *  insup- 
portable !  monstrous  !  '  I  spent  in  watching,  with  un- 
bounded delight,  these  men,  so  hostile  to  one  another 
under  auspices  other  than  the  white  flag,  mingle  pro- 
miscuously, exchanging  papers,  and,  not  infre- 
quently, jokes,  which  provoked  hearty  laughter. 
Again  I  glanced  at  my  comjjag?inns  du  voyage ;  each 
held  a  book,  but  their  disturbed  faces  showed  that 
their  thoughts  wandered.  Perhaps  the  bearing  of 
the  victors  awoke  in  them  the  consciousness  of  hav- 
ing fanned  the  blaze  which  had  showered  the  South 
with  clouds  of  blue  cinders,  which  water  could  not 
quench,  nor  fire  nor  smoke  consume,  which  perished 
their  broad  acres  and  smothered  their  homes  ! 

* '  The  flag  was  accepted  !  and  adieux  to  our  little 
band  followed.  EyeS;  which  brimmed  as  the  white 
flag  fluttered  from  sight,  flashed  angrily  at  the  chill- 
ing courtesy  of  the  tall  captain,  who,  with  a  slight 
movement  of  his  hand,  motioned  the  ladies  to  enter 
the  carriao^e  in  waitinor. 

"  *  No  egotistical  obtrusiveness  about  that  Yankee 
officer,'  I  thought ;  and  I  laughed  inly  that  Secesh 
was  denied  the  opportunity  of  displaying  the  abhor- 

29* 


270  EYE-WITNESS. 

rence  which  had  been  so  nicely  gotten  up  for  the  oc- 
casion. 

*'  The  officer's  authoritative  tone  and  manner  re- 
minded me  forcibly  of  the  '  there,  sit  there  ! '  of  him 
of  the  birchen  rod,  —  a  practical  illustration  of  the 
'  set  down  '  judiciously  being  omitted. 

**  The  ride  was  silent  and  rapid.  *  Blue-coats, 
splendidly  mounted,  rode  boldly  ;  while  their  horses, 
elate,  doubtless,  with  the  consciousness  of  the  power 
they  bore,  bent  every  sinew  in  the  mad  gallop  which 
filled  our  eyes  with  dust,  and  completely  settled  the 
fact,  that  Yankees  could'  ride  as  well  as  fight. 
Mamma,  as  I  looked  upon  these  men,  and  thought 
of  the  resolute  boldness  and  unflinching  purpose 
which  armed  them  to  wipe  out  the  foul  treachery, 
which,  with  the  blackness  of  night,  sullied  the  fairest 
banner  the  earth  ever  hung  out,  this  flighty  little 
heart  of  mine  was  awe-smitten ;  and  love  and  defer- 
ence unconsciously  increased  to  adoration,  as  a  mis- 
hap to  our  carriage  brought  these  soldiers  about  us, 
and,  for  the  first  time,  I  stood  with  them  face  to  face. 
Not  plainer  was  the  eagle  on  their  buttons  than  the 
eagle  light  in  their  eyes,  flashing  the  heroic  ardor  and 
determination  which  animates  them  to  achieve  their 
lofty  aim,  — that  of  restoring  uni^  and  law. 

*'  The  damage  to  the  carriage  was  slight,  and 
Newbern  was  reached  at  last.  Did  those  hearts  be- 
side me  thrill  as  mine,  when  the  tented  field,  with 
the  *  Red,  white,  and  blue '  sky  flower,  burst  upon 
our  view  !  that  could  not  be ;  for  those  who  looked 
out  from  canvas  homes  beneath  were  enemies  !  The 
burst  of  music  which  greeted  our  ears  as  we  drove 
into  the  city,  must  have  melted  the  exiles  to  contri- 
tion, or  turned  them  to  stone.     What  they  saw  or 


EYE-WITNESS.  271 

felt,  I  can  only  conjecture ;  for  my  heart,  overflow- 
ing with  the  full,  glorious  consciousness  that  I  was 
free,  drowned  my  eyes  in  tears. 

«'  I  left  my  letter,  last  night,  to  answer  Maggie's 
call  to  hear  the  letters  which  Ralph  Bierce  wished 
her  to  read,  and  which  Harry  takes  with  him  to  de- 
liver to  the  family.  The  contents  were  mostly  of 
his  brother  William.  Harry  will  tell  you  of  the  ef- 
forts of  that  brave  William  Bierce  to  stand  firm  to 
his  country,  to  honor  the  true  flag,  and  how  he  died. 
His  diary  was  found  upon  Ralph"'s  person.  On  it 
was  written,  *  For  Nelhe  ;  not  to  be  read  until  North 
and  South  are  one  ! ' 

*'  Harry  interrupts  me,  crying  — 

***No  time  for  adieux !  See,  the  white  flag  is 
passing  ! ' 

*'  It  is  indeed  so,  and  I  must  not  detain  him,  only 
to  enclose  these  last  unspeakably  happy  words,  — the 
balm  for  every  watching,  aching  heart  — 

* '  <  Bumside  is  coming  ! '  " 


CHAPTER  XXXVn. 

CO^XLUSION. 

TwiLTGHT  has  deepened  into  dusk,  and,  through 
the  open  casement,  the  moon,  bright,  full,  and  radi- 
ant, falls  upon  the  couch  of  a  dying  woman.  A  fold 
of  cloth  covers  her  face  all  but  her  mouth,  through 
which  her  breath  comes  intermittent.  Two  watchers, 
one  on  each  side,  alone  are  near  her  in  her  death 
agony,  —  Helen  Bierce,  and  poor  sightless  Vine. 

*'  Lift  me,  Vine,  and  place  the  cushion  at  my  back  ; 
there,  that  will  do ;  now,  Helen,  you  and  Vine  take 
my  hands ;  I  cannot  see  you,  but  I  must  feel  you, 
while  I  utter  my  last  words." 

The  door  opens,  and  a  step  is  heard.  **  Is  that 
you,  Charles  ?  "  and,  as  the  one  welcomed  by  an  ex- 
pressive glance  from  Helen,  drew  near,  and  knelt 
down,  the  sufferer  resumed  — 

**  You  have  all  been  kind  to  me.  Xo  act  of  mine, 
but  God's  mercy,  has  made  you  so,  and  He  will  re- 
ward you,  —  He,  who  took  from  me  my  sight,  but 
let  light  into  my  soul,  black  with  sin,  and  revealed 
to  me  blessed  visions  of  a  bright  and  living  world, 
after  night  here. 

**  Tell  Francis,  Helen,  I  forgive  him  ;  he  thought 
me  dead,  or  nearly  so,  or  he  would  not  have  left  me 
as  he  did,  in  that  terrible  panic.  It  was  for  my 
jewels  I  re-entered  the  burning  house  ;  I  got  them, 
but  lost  all,  save  this  faint  spark  of  life,  which  soon, 


EYE-WITNESS.  273 

now,  will  expire.  The  beam  fell  across  my  face ; 
Francis  tried  to  lift  it,  but  it  was  beyond  his  strength, 
and  he  left  me  to  get  aid.  The  Yankees  found  me  ; 
they  carried  me  to  the  hospital,  and  cared  for  me  ten- 
derly ;  they  told  me  my  burns  Avere  of  such  a  nature 
that  I  could  not  live.  The  torment,  the  torture,  and 
agony  of  those  days,  found  relief  at  last.  A  soldier 
was  dying  near  me ;  a  chaplain  daily  talked  and 
prayed  with  him  ;  and,  although  my  stubborn  heart 
at  first  refused  to  admit  the  truths  he  uttered,  it 
yielded,  and  finally  craved  them.  I  called  the  chap- 
lain to  me  ;  he  asked  me  '  if  I  ever  prayed  ?  '  I  told 
him  '  no ; '  he  said  '  it  was  time,'  and  requested  me 
to  repeat  after  him  the  Lord's  Prayer.  I  did  so,  and 
from  that  moment,  all  that,  which  was  to  me  stern 
and  awful  in  religion,  vanished  ;  for  the  '  peace  which 
passeth  all  understanding,'  was  mine. 

*'  You  found  me,  Helen,  a  burnt  and  sightless  be- 
ing ;  you  found  Vine,  also,  and  removed  us  here ; 
and,  for  your  devotion  to  us  both,  God,  who  is  ever 
near,  will  bless  you. 

*'  Charles  Coxe,  I  do  not  ask  you  how  you  discov- 
ered Helen  through  her  disguise.  I  do  not  care  to 
know,  so  long  as  I  am  sensible  she  has  yielded  to  the 
voice  of  truth  and  passion.  My  legacy  to  you  both, 
is  Vine,  —  poor  sightless  Vine,  made  so  by  my  liand, 
and,  for  which  sin,  I  have  passed  through  a  fiery  fur- 
nace, but  found  beyond  '  the  everlasting  arms.' 

*'  Vine,  be  to  Helen  what,  for  the  last  few  months, 
you  have  been  to  me.  You  have  been  wicked ;  I 
made  you  so,  and  God  has  forgiven  us  both." 

The  sinking  woman's  voice  failed  her;  and,  as 
slight  spasms  passed  over  her  wasted  frame,  they 
laid  her  tenderly  down,  and,  with  moist  eyes,  waited 


274  EYE-WITNESS. 

for  the  final  struggle.  It  carae  at  length.  TTith  a 
conTulsive  motion  of  the  thin,  ^yhite  hands,  and  a 
quiver  of  the  lips,  it  passed. 

An  hour  later,  and  Charles  and  Helen  sat  at  the 
open  window.  The  soft,  calm  light,  from  witliout, 
reveals  traces  of  great  and  recent  emotion  upon  Hel- 
en's face,  and  repeatedly,  and  fervently,  she  presses 
her  brother's  diary  to  her  lips  as  if  it  were,  indeed,  a 
sentient  thing.  Lifting  her  streaming  eyes  to  the 
star-lit  canopy  above  her,  she  breathed  — 

'*  Wilhe,  your  appeal  is  not  in  vain;  I  icill  '  do 
all  to  the  glory  of  God.'  Heaven  grant  that  my 
heart,  once  so  cold  with  pride  and  self-will,  may 
yield  to  be  directed  by  a  zeal  as  ardent  and  endur- 
ing as  your  own." 

She  ceased  to  speak,  and  other  thoughts,  which  she 
cared  not  to  utter,  kept  her  eyes  still  bent  upon  the 
distant  heavens. 

A  moved,  low  voice  at  her  side  aroused  her  ;  and, 
yielding  to  the  tender  caress,  which,  as  his  affianced 
bride,  she  had  no  wish  to  withhold,  she  murmured  — 

'*  Yes,  Charley.  To-morrow  is  Maggie's  wed- 
ding-day.    You  will  see  her ;  then  tell  her  all." 

' '  And  my  mother  !  " 

Helen  turned,  and  pointing  to  the  dead,  said  : 
**  Your  promise  is  no  longer  binding."  After  a  few 
moments  of  increasing  emotion,  she  sobbed  :  "  Moth- 
er's death  has  taught  me  how  easy  a  thing  it  is  to  die  ; 
but  what  a  frightful  thing  it  is  to  live,  and  not 
rightly ! " 

"  To  know  the  right,  and  nobly  to  live  up  to  it, 
is  glorious,"  Charles  said  cheerfully  :  and,  wishing  to 
divert  her  thoughts  from  the  channel  of  bitter  regret, 
he  resumed,  laying  his  hand  upon  the  papers,  still  in 
her  trembling  grasp  — 


EYE-WITNESS.  275 

<«  You  do  not  ask  me  how  I  obtained  these.'* 
**The  satisfaction  of  having  them  is  complete; 
there  is  no  room  for  curiositj^ ;  "  with  something  of 
her  former  animation  in  voice  and  manner,  she 
added,  "  I  saw  Harry  Elout  in  the  hospital  wards  to- 
day ;  and  so  overwhelming  was  my  surprise,  for  I 
thought  him  long  since  dead,  that,  involuntarily,  his 
name  escaped  me.  He  turned  towards  me,  but  I 
had  recovered  my  composure,  and,  conscious  that  I 
was  not  recognized,  I  ventured  a  remark  about  one 
of  the  patients." 

To  Helen's  infinite  amazement,  her  companion  re- 
lated to  her  Harry's  motives  for  taking  the  field  ;  his 
adventures  under  the  assumed  name  of  Dr.  Pill,  and 
his  long  and  unavailing  search  for  her  and  her  fath- 
er's family,  while  in  Secessia  :  <*  And,  Helen,  he  re- 
turned but  yesterday  to  Newbern,  to  be  present  at 
his  Cousin  Maggie's  wedding.  Accompanying  him, 
were  several  Union  friends  ;  among  the  number  he 
mentioned  John  McGowan,  who,  through  the  influ- 
ence of  powerful  partisans,  was  recently  released  from 
imprisonment,  —  his  son  Frank,  having  secured  his 
escape  some  two  months  since,  from  like  suflfering. 
One  other  he  alluded  to  most  feelingly, — a  Mrs. 
Weasel,  whose  husband  died  in  Salisbury;  her  chil- 
dren are  those  you  have  often  seen  with  Maggie 
Blout.  Helen,  dear  Helen,"  he  added  most  ear- 
nestly, '*  you  must  see  Harry  before  the  next  flag 
leaves,  — for  he  goes  back  to  remain,  he  tells  me,  — 
and  hear  the  account  of  his  travels  through  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  State.  There,  Union  men,  escaped 
from  desolated  homes,  jails,  and  swamps,  do  congre- 
gate, armed  with  a  determination  to  maintain  their 
rights,  which  sets  dangers  and  tyranny  at  defiance. 


276  EYE-WITNESS. 

And  who,  think  you,  is  their  avowed  and  devoted 
leader  ?     Richard  Whedden  ! 

*'  Harry  found  him,  not  only  restored  to  sound 
health,  but  the  enthusiastic  admiration  of  the  crowds 
which  throng  to  hear  him.  The  mighty  impulses  of 
his  soul  have  been  stirred  to  achieve  mighty  ends  ; 
and,  with  his  unbounded  love  for  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment, who  that  hears  him,  and  knows  his  cour- 
age, intrepidity,  and  unflinching  purpose,  can  doubt 
that,  to  its  sovereignty,  he  will  yet  gloriously  return 
his  adopted  State." 

"His  field  is  yours,  Charley.  There,  duty  calls 
us  both." 

*'Be  it  so;"  and  the  room,  hitherto  cold  in  the 
moonlio^ht  and  death-shadows,  o-lows  now  in  the  sun- 
shine  of  ardent  hope  and  lofty  patriotism. 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 

Wilmer 
1137 


